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LITTLE MISS FAITH 









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“ It was hard to decide which made the more attractive 
picture.” — Page 155. 



The Hazelwood Stories 


LITTLE MISS FAITH 


The Story of a Country Week at 
Falcons-Height 

vjTx 

/$>* 0 oMbht 

SEP 


BY 


17 1394 

\ 

Of WASHES!/ 


GRACE LE BARON 


BOSTON 

LEE AND SHEPARD Publishers 

io MILK STREET 

1894 


'Z - 36,353 




Copyright , 1894, 

By Lee and Shepard. 

All Rights Reserved. 
Little Miss Faith 

/1-Z&3r3 


SEnfoersttg Press: 

John Wilson and Son, Cambridge, U.S.A. 


CONTENTS. 


CHAPTER I. 

Page 

The Departure of the Visitor. — The Struggle be- 
tween Unselfishness and Desire. — The Little 
Housekeeper. — The Letter that Mrs. Lovelace 
wrote, and the One that decided the Path in Life 
of Elsie and Herself 9 

CHAPTER II. 

First View of Falcons-height and an Introduction to 
its Occupants. — The Little Invalid Faith, and 
her Life near to the Angels. — Faith’s Inspira- 
tion and her Plan of Country Week at Falcons- 
height 25 


CHAPTER III. 

Preparations for the lourney. — The Start. — Elsie’s 
Friend and Protector. — Elsie amuses Herself 
and Napoleon Bonaparte too. — The Arrival at 
Hazelwood. — Elsie meets her Fairy Godmother. 


IV 


CONTENTS. 


Page 

The Story of Cinderella. — Elsie’s Reception 
at Falcons-height. — Sister Faith. — Rachel’s 
Wisdom 35 

CHAPTER IV. 

Elsie is awakened by the Bells. — Anniversary of 
the Battle of Bunker Hill. — Faith surprises her 
F amily. — F reedom of F alcons-height. — Recep- 
tion of the Village Folk. — Judge Goodwin’s Ad- 
dress. — Elsie finds a Friend. — The Birthday of 
Elsie and Faith a Coincidence. — The Luncheon 
under the Apple-trees. — Mr. Jackson becomes a 
Messenger for Mrs. Goodwin 58 

CHAPTER V. 

The Rainy Day brings its Rewards to Faith and Elsie. 

— Dollie Dorothy and her Little Mistress. — The 
Ride in Cinderella’s Coach with the Fairy God- 
mother. — The Visit. — Elsie’s Description of her 
Mother. — Faith and Elsie in the Twilight, with 


the Sky Lanterns watching over them. — Grand- 
ma and Auntie May 77 


CHAPTER VI. 

Planning for the Birthday. — The Invitations deliv- 


ered in True Fashion. — The Surprise. — Elsie 
introduces her Mother 95 


CONTENTS. 


V 


CHAPTER VII. 

Page 

Sunday at Falcons-height. — The Ride to Church. — 

Mrs. Lovelace meets an Old Friend. — Elsie is 
introduced to the Frogs. — Mrs. Goodwin’s Anxiety 
for her Guests. — “Jerusalem the Golden” . . 107 


CHAPTER VIII. 

The Busy Day, — Mrs. Lovelace and Robert form a 
Partnership. — Farmer Allen’s Daisies. — With 
the Dressmaker. — Mrs. Lovelace makes herself 
Useful in every Way. — Preparations for the 
Fete . . . 124 


CHAPTER IX. 

The Birthday Festival. — Rachel’s Pathetic Story told 
by Elsie. — Faith’s Floral Greeting to Elsie. — 
Birthday Presents. — The Muslin Frocks. — Elsie 
arrayed for the Party on the Lawn. — Faith in 
Royal State. — Fairy Land. — The Strawberry 
Festival. — Story-telling by the Children . . . 138 


CHAPTER X. 


Falcons-height at Night in Quiet. — Mrs. Goodwin’s 
Anxiety for Faith. — Mother and Daughter. — 


VI 


CONTENTS. 


Page 

Plans for the Future. — Beppo the Dog. — The 
French Doll. — Good-night. — The Sky Lanterns 
do their Last Watching. — Faith at Home with the 
Angels. — Mrs. Lovelace and Elsie become of the 
Family at Falcons-height. — Elsie’s Memories of 
her Country Week at Falcons-height 167 


LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS. 


>/ Page 

“It was hard to decide which made the more attrac- 
tive picture ”... Frontispiece 

1/ 

“ The two sat down to their noonday meal ”... 19 

L “ A little white hand waved a welcome to the home- 

comers ” . . . . , 51 

‘ Oh, here you are, little one ! ’ ” 69 

“ Twinkle, twinkle, little star ” 91 

Elsie leaves the last note at the minister’s .... 99 

“ ‘ Is there anything very fairy-like about me?’” . .119 

“ Judge Goodwin’s tali form towered over the little 
people ” 


157 





LITTLE MISS FAITH. 


CHAPTER I. 



ND so good morning, 
Mrs. Lovelace. Think 
well over the matter, 
and let me know be- 
fore Saturday, if you 
can. ’T is only for a week, 
remember; but many roses 
can grow in that time, and bloom for 
little Elsie’s good, I hope, and I want to 
see their rosiest colorings in her pale 
face. Good morning.” 

So saying, the kind missionary, Miss 
Green, closed the door, leaving Mrs. Love- 


IO 


LITTLE MISS FAITH. 


lace to decide the matter that her mother 
love only could settle. She walked to the 
window to watch her visitor out of sight. 

Alas ! unwittingly she had left a thorn 
behind her to prick the conscience of the 
guardian of little Elsie; for Mrs. Lovelace, 
with a long-drawn sigh, murmured, — 
‘“And bloom for little Elsie’s good!’ 
‘ Her pale face ! ’ Can Elsie be ill ? ” 

As if in answer to her questionings, the 
door opened, and Elsie herself, with one 
bound, entered the room. Running up 
to her mother, she flung her arms around 
her neck, and with true childish glee 
cried, in one long breath, — 

“ Oh, mamma, mamma, see ! Mrs. King 
paid me ten cents more than her bill, so 
that I could ride home, she said ; but I 
don’t believe that she would care if she 
knew that I saved them for my blessed 


LITTLE MISS FAITH. 


I I 

mamma! Do you, mamma? And so 
here they are ! I hurried home faster 
than the cars could have come, anyway ; ” 
and the flushed cheeks and breathless 
panting of the little girl told the story 
of her haste better than any words could 
have done. 

“And are you tired, little daughter 
asked her mother. 

“ Oh, no, indeed ! Why, little girls were 
made to run, mamma. Mrs. King was de- 
lighted, too, with your sewing, and said 
she should bring you more next week. 
And, oh, mamma, I just met Miss Green 
on the street ! She pinched my cheeks, 
to make them red, she said ; but I believe 
it was only to give me a sailor’s kiss, for 
she kissed me, truly. What makes you 
look so sober all in a minute, mamma? 
Don’t you want any one to kiss me but 


12 


LITTLE MISS FAITH. 


you ? I ’ll rub it all off, — there ! ” and 
she took the corner of her little white 
apron, and pretended to wipe the kiss 
from her cheek. 

“Why, no, my little daughter; I am not 
so selfish as that, I hope. I want every 
one to love you, and you to love every one 
and me, and be the light of my heart 
always, always.” 

And as she repeated the word she 
seemed to have a far-away look in her 
eyes. After a moment’s pause, she asked, 
“ Elsie, how would you like to go into the 
country for a week to see the green trees 
and the pretty flowers growing?” 

“Oh, shall we go? May I?” asked 
Elsie, excitedly; to whom the city had 
been her only home, and the country 
was but a dream. 

“Yes, you can go; but mamma is not 


LITTLE MISS FAITH. 


13 


invited, and you would not have me go 
where I am not wanted, would you ? ” 

“ Very well, then I ’m afraid if they 
don’t want you, my blessed mamma, they 
cannot have me either,” said Elsie. 

“ Tut, tut, tut! not so fast, little daughter; 
you will think differently, I hope, when 
you hear all I have to say about it, my 
champion. Listen ! ” said Mrs. Lovelace. 

“ Well, who is ‘ they,’ mamma ? ” asked 
Elsie. 

“ I do not know the lady ; but her name 
is Goodwin, — Mrs. Goodwin, wife of Judge 
Goodwin of Hazelwood. She has a little 
invalid girl just about your age. By the 
by, Elsie, do you remember that you are 
to have a birthday soon ? ” 

“ Yes, I shall be ten years old on the 
twenty-second of this month. I wish I 
was older, mamma, so that I could help 


14 


LITTLE MISS FAITH. 


you more ; but then I shall be soon old 
enough to do the overcasting on the 
long seams. You think I can only take 
out those tiresome bastings ; but I am 
going to show you before long, that I 
know how to use a needle, and that pretty 
silver thimble you gave me last Christmas,” 
said Elsie. “ But do go on, please, and 
tell me all about this journey to the land 
of roses, — do, dear mamma!” she added. 

“Well,” replied Mrs. Lovelace, “Miss 
Green is a missionary for a charitable 
society; and this lady, Mrs. Goodwin, has 
written to her to know if she can send 
a little girl to be company for her little 
daughter for a week.” 

Elsie clapped her hands with childish 
eagerness. 

“ Oh, I always did want a sister ; but 
then, ’t is only for a week : that won't 


LITTLE MISS FAITH. 


15 


be long, will it, mamma?” said Elsie, and 
Elsie's face looked its disappointment. 

How different the reasoning! To the 
child a week was but the few days it 
counted ; but to the fond mother these 
same seven days promised to be the 
longest in her calendar of life, for it was 
to be her first separation from her only 
happiness. 

“You are not invited to be of the little 
girl’s family,” said Mrs. Lovelace, “ not as 
a sister nor as a friend ; but as a com- 
panion to the invalid, to amuse her proba- 
bly. She might not like it if you called 
yourself her sister. She has parents and 
friends, and perhaps a sister of her own, 
too, and you — you are but a poor little 
girl, with only mamma to love you;” and 
Mrs. Lovelace hugged the child to her 
breast with great fervor. 


1 6 LITTLE MISS FAITH. 

“ Is she rich ? ” asked Elsie. 

“Yes,” responded Mrs. Lovelace; “at 
least, so Miss Green says.” 

“ Well,” said Elsie, “ I don’t believe, 
with all their money, that her mother 
loves her any better than you do me, 
or I do you, mamma.” 

“ That could never be, Elsie. Money, 
as has always been said, cannot buy us 
our happiness,” returned Mrs. Lovelace ; 
“ for that is a gift from the good Father, 
who knows His ways and our needs best. 
But we must get our luncheon, for it is 
near school-time, and this afternoon I 
shall write Miss Green you will be ready 
to go on Wednesday next, the sixteenth. 
Let me see, it is now Saturday, and there 
is but little needed to prepare you for the 
week’s visit.” 

Looking up, Mrs. Lovelace was sur- 


LITTLE MISS FAITH. 


1 / 


prised to see Elsie apparently counting 
upon her fingers the days of the week, — 

“ Saturday, one, Sunday, two, Monday, 
three/’ and so on. 

“Could she be,” thought Mrs. Lovelace, 
“ so anxious to go that she must count the 
days before going ? ” and, interrupting her, 
she asked, — 

“ What is it, Elsie ? What are you 
counting so busily ? ” 

“ Why,” answered the child, “ I shall be 
away from you on my birthday, and I 
never was away from you before, you 
know, mamma, on that day, and it is always 
such a gay holiday for us. What will I 
do without your ten kisses to wake me up 
with in the morning, and what will you 
do without me, mamma ? ” 

“ What, indeed ? ” thought Mrs. Love- 
lace, as she turned to look out of the win- 


1 3 LITTLE MISS FAITH. 

dow to hide her feelings; but she as quickly 
turned back again, and said cheerily, — 

“ I shall send them to you in a letter, 
and give you fresh ones when you come 
home again, little daughter.” 

And the two laughed as two children, — 
the one with the true ring of the real child, 
and the other, as if trying to be gay and 
unselfish for the good of the “ pale face” 
and the coming roses. 

Soon the kettle was singing on the fire ; 
and Elsie, like the child housekeeper that 
she was, deftly placed the cover on the 
table, cut the bread in thin delicate slices, 
while her mother prepared the rest of the 
luncheon, and the two sat down to their 
noonday meal. 

They chatted over the anticipated visit, 
and Mrs. Lovelace actually forgot her first 
feelings of coming loneliness, in the happy 



“The two sat down to their noonday meal.” — Page 18 




LITTLE MISS FAITIL 


21 


thought of Elsies pleasure so soon 
to be. 

“ Mamma,” said the latter, “ who is to 
pay all the money, — to buy my tickets, I 
mean ? The Society, I suppose ; but won’t 
it seem funny to be a charity patient ? 
But it ’s kind of them just the same, is n’t 
it, mamma?” 

“ So it would be, but no, Elsie,” replied 
Mrs. Lovelace, “ Mrs. Goodwin is a dear 
friend of Miss Green’s, and wrote to her 
not exactly because she was the good 
missionary that she is, but because she 
thought she might know just the right 
little girl, I fancy, to receive into her 
home, and make her own little one happy ; 
and she has written to Miss Green that 
she wants to bear all the expense of her 
pleasure, as she calls it. But look! it is 
getting late, and you must start on your 
way to school.” 


22 


LITTLE MISS FAITH. 


“ Oh, dear, no, mamma, not until I have 
helped you to clear away the table,” said 
Elsie. 

“ No, no, little daughter,” returned Mrs. 
Lovelace; “ you know that errand to Mrs. 
King’s took all your spare time. You are 
my little helper always, and it will take 
but a very few moments to settle, and then 
I must write the letter. What shall I say 
to Miss Green for you, Elsie?” 

“ Tell her, oh, tell her, mamma, that I 
do want to go, but I wish they wanted my 
blessed mamma too,” said Elsie. 

“ Oh, I can’t say that, dearie ; it would n’t 
be quite polite,” replied her mother. “ I 
will tell her, however, it will be our first 
separation. Good-by, little daughter.” 

Elsie kissed her mother, and was off 
with the wind, her good-by echoing be- 
hind her. 


LITTLE MISS FAITH. 


23 


Mrs. Lovelace speedily set her little 
home to rights, and sat down and wrote 
the following letter: — 


My dear Miss Green, — Elsie and I have 
been talking over the country week at Falcons- 
height, and we both think it very kind of Mrs. 
Goodwin to be willing to open her house to a 
little stranger like Elsie ; but I will have her all 
ready Wednesday for the journey. You will 
write the good lady, please, that my little 
daughter has always had me to watch her every 
step through life, and should she complain of 
any illness to call me at once, please. 

I have no fear of anything else. She has 
always been a good little girl, and I know will 
be gentle and kind. 

Sincerely, 

Sarah Lovelace. 

B ,June 12, 18 — . 


Just as she finished the letter, the post- 
man knocked at the door with the after- 


24 LITTLE MISS FAITH. 

noon mail, and cheerfully agreed to post 
it at the main office on his return there. 

Mrs. Lovelace, as she commenced her 
sewing again, could not keep back a sigh, 
and a tear that escaped from her eyes was 
wiped away as an intruder upon her good 
resolutions and the coming pleasure. 


CHAPTER II. 



/4r - 

m'~ of our story, there 


|X, NLY a few days pre- 
|p? vious to the opening 


had come to one in 
the great stone house 


on the heights just outside the village of 
Hazelwood an inspiration. 

Now, an inspiration is supposed to be a 
beautiful thought, as if sent by the angels 
from heaven ; and if ever there was one 
who lived very near to the angels, it was 
little Faith Goodwin, daughter of Judge 
and Mrs. Goodwin, the owners of the 
great estate, which they named, after the 
fashion of their English ancestry, Falcons- 


2 6 


LITTLE MISS FAITH. 


height ; the falcon having been their 
family crest for many generations, and 
their eyrie home on the heights suggest- 
ing the rest of the long but pretty name. 

The Goodwins had been only six years 
residents of the quiet country town of Hazel- 
wood ; but they had endeared themselves 
even in that short time to all its people. 

The Judge was looked upon as public 
adviser, giving freely to the villagers of 
his legal knowledge “ without money and 
without price ; ” while Lady Goodwin, as 
she was called, was the “ Lady Bountiful,” 
whose heart was always open to all good 
interests, and was the one woman of the 
town who could adapt herself as readily 
to the needs of the factory hands and 
their families as to the social demands 
upon her time by their more fortunate 
employers. 


LITTLE MISS FAITH. 


27 


When the Goodwins bought the old 
homestead on the hill, the village folk 
wondered at the investment, and many 
an old woman who had looked upon “ the 
ruins on the heights,” as the old home- 
stead was called, as so much “dead wood,” 
prophesied that the buyers would “sink 
their money ; ” but when one bright sum- 
mer the beautiful stone castle looked out 
through the trees, and caught on the one 
side the summer sun and on the other 
the cooling breezes from the lake beyond, 
the croakers allowed there never was a 
more perfect place “ to pitch a tent.” 

The Goodwins brought with them their 
only child, the little invalid Faith, crip- 
pled in body from a fall in her infancy 
while in her nurse’s care. Instead of dis- 
charging Rachel, the colored woman, they 
still retained her in their service; and she 


28 


LITTLE MISS FAITH. 


was like a faithful watch-dog. She would 
say almost daily, in her Southern dialect : 
“I done goin’ leave missy till the Judg- 
ment Day comes to her or to me.” And 
when her friends would chaff her, and 
ask her if she had not given her word to 
Samuel Johnson to marry him, she would 
reply, “ To be certainly, but that don’t 
signify;” meaning that her first duty was 
to the little crippled girl, who became so 
through an accident of which she was a 
victim rather than a cause. 

Falcons-height was a beautiful place; 
the trees bent their branches everywhere 
about it, and at some of the windows 
seemed begging an entrance; the cling- 
ing vines over the one side, and the 
drooping wistaria blossoms over the other 
formed a happy combination of decora- 
tion. In the background was the lake, 


LITTLE MISS FAITH. 


29 


with its gayly trimmed boats at the boat- 
launch, which the villagers were allowed 
the use of on certain days; and many 
a serenade came floating over the water 
to the little girl in the room above, from 
the merry picnickers, who seemed to 
regard Faith’s window almost as a shrine 
of worship. 

From out this window waved an Ameri- 
can flag, that could be seen from the 
heights all over the little village of Hazel- 
wood, and told to all who saw it that 
Faith was in her usual health, and able 
to see her friends. 

She had been told that it was a custom 
in Uncle Sam’s military posts for the 
commandant to have a flag run up on 
the high flagstaff, to show to all that 
he was at his post, — “at home,” in other 
words ; and she had asked to follow the 


30 


LITTLE MISS FAITH. 


fashion of the military, and called Amer- 
ica’s banner her “ at home ” invitation to 
the neighbors, who came daily, bringing 
to the little invalid flowers and fruits 
that transformed her room into a minia- 
ture horticultural show the most of the 
time. 

Invalid as she was, she rarely allowed 
the flag to be taken down ; for when 
actual necessity demanded it, it seemed 
to affect every household in the village, 
telling them that Faith was too ill to 
be disturbed, and it was for that very 
reason that Faith insisted upon having 
the flag out, even when better judg- 
ment told her family she should be kept 
in quiet. 

She would gently say when her mother 
urged it taken in, “ No, please don’t, 
mamma, not to-day; for poor old Mrs. 


LITTLE MISS FAITH. 


31 


Harris will surely come walking over 
from the village to inquire at the ser- 
vants’ lodge, and she is so lame ; ” or, “ You 
know, mamma, to-day is the day of the 
charity-school picnic, and I cannot have 
my little friends go with heavy hearts.” 

And Mrs. Goodwin would consent 
to Faith’s wishes, and say to herself, 
“Truly a little child shall lead them.” 

The morning on which the inspiration 
came to Faith was a bright, sunny one 

in early June. The trees were in full 

% 

dress of green ; the roses clambered over 
their trellis, and one or two actually. forced 
themselves into the window 7 of the little 
invalid’s room, and Faith, as she leaned 
forward in her chair, easily picked one. 
Holding it up to her mother, she said, — 
“ Look, look, mamma, smell it, how 
sweet! How beautiful, isn’t it? I wish 


32 


LITTLE MISS FAITH. 


every one might have roses grow in their 
way, as I do ; but some never see a rose, 
I suppose, and some lives are full of cares 
and troubles, more like the thorns than 
the beautiful roses.” 

“ And has my little girl no cares and 
troubles, no thorns, in her path of life ? ” 
asked Mrs. Goodwin, wondering what 
reply Faith would make. 

“Cares? thorns? No, mamma, no,” re- 
plied Faith ; “ why, only think, I have 
you and papa to love me, and Rachel 
to do everything she can for me. Of 
course my back aches now and then, 
and I can’t run about as other little 
girls do; but I can ride, mamma;” and 
she smiled as sweetly as if her little wheel 
chair and its devoted attendant were a 
fashionable village-cart with its Shetland 
ponies. 


LITTLE MISS FAITH. 


33 


“ Then,” she continued, “ you know at 
night, as I go to sleep, I look out and 
see the sky lanterns, and I almost think I 
can see Auntie May’s face, and grandma’s, 
watching over me. But, dear mamma, 
these roses make me wish that some of 
those poor little city children could see 
them ; and Rachel told me only yesterday, 
that there was a society in the city, that 
found homes for just such little girls and 
boys to visit in, during the summer, and 
I wish, oh, I do wish that I could have a 
little girl come to visit me for a while, 
mamma. Can’t you ask one to come for 
a week, anyway? Tell her I want her to 
come, and I am sure she will. Perhaps 
Miss Green will know of some nice little 
girl. Won’t you write to her, mamma 
dear ? ” 

“Yes,” answered Mrs. Goodwin, to whom 
3 


34 


LITTLE MISS FAITH. 


a wish of Faith’s was a duty in its grant- 
ing, — “yes, I will write Miss Green if you 
wish me to, Faith.” 

“ Do, do please, dear mamma,” said 
Faith. 

And so began the first planning for the 
little visitor. 


CHAPTER III. 


HE day fixed for the 
journey arrived, and 
Elsie had lain awake 
a good part of the 
night before. She 
had packed over and 
over again, in fancy, 
the small valise that 
was to hold her modest wardrobe; but 
towards morning had fallen asleep, to 
awake to find her good mother laying 
her clothes, one by one, carefully into 
the same valise that she herself in the 
night watches had planned so many ways 
to pack. 



36 


LITTLE MISS FAITH. 


“ Come, little daughter, dress you,” was 
the greeting she heard from her busy 
mother. “ Come to breakfast, for soon 
Miss Green will be here to take you 
and this ‘ Saratoga ’ of yours to the sta- 
tion. I wonder if I have put in every- 
thing ? ” she added. 

“ Have you put in Dollie Dorothy ? ” 
asked Elsie. “ I could n’t think of leav- 
ing her behind, mamma;” so saying, she 
jumped from the little bed, and running 
to a bureau drawer, drew forth a beauti- 
ful golden-haired doll, dressed in a pretty 
blue frock, which she quickly took off, as 
being, she said, “ not a fit one to travel 
in.” 

So Dollie Dorothy was redressed and 
slept in the folds of Elsie’s new gingham 
apron. Then, kneeling down, Elsie said 
her morning prayer, adding, — 


LITTLE MISS FAITH. 


37 


“ Please, God, take care of my blessed 
mamma until I come back.” 

She was soon dressed, and ready for 
breakfast; and before the meal Was fin- 
ished, Miss Green’s knock was heard at 
the door. She was prevailed upon to 
take a cup of coffee, and excused herself 
for making such an early call, saying, — 

“ I thought I could pack Elsie s satchel, 
but you are both too smart for me, I per- 
ceive ; still, I insist upon helping you in 
some way.” 

Soon, with the aid of the three, the 
little house was dusted and arranged, as 
the clock struck ten, and the train was 
to leave just before noon. 

As the ride to the station "was to be 
a long one, they were soon in the horse- 
car, on the way, Miss Green insisting 
upon her right to carry the valise. 


38 LITTLE MISS FAITH. 

And this was to be Elsie’s first journey ! 
She was happy in the thought, but equally 
mindful that her mother would miss her, 
as she turned lovingly to the latter, and 
said, — 

“ Only for a week, remember, blessed 
mamma.” 

Finding the conductor, Miss Green said 
to him, — 

“ I want you to look after this little 
girl, and see that she gets off at Hazel- 
wood. She will be met there by friends. 
You won’t forget now, will you?” 

“ No, ma’am,” replied the conductor, 
with much decision ; “ that I won’t, for 
I have a little girl of my own, just about 
her age, and I shall follow the Golden 
Rule. Have no fear, madam. Oh, you 
can put on the tag if you like, but there 
will be little need of it ; ” for Miss Green 


LITTLE MISS FAITH. 


39 


was fastening around Elsie’s neck a tag 
on which was written, — ■ 

Elsie Lovelace 

Care Judge Goodwin 

Hazelwood 

“Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of 
these, ye have done it unto me.” 

As she fastened it on, she said to Elsie, 
“You see I am going to tag you, just 
as if you were a hand-bag or a trunk;” 
and Elsie laughingly rejoined, — 

“ Will they roll me over topsy-turvy, 
just as they do trunks, I wonder, Miss 
Green ; for if they should, they would 
spoil the roses on my new hat.” 

“ No, I think not,” replied Miss Green. 
“ I think they will handle you this side 
up with care, and, too, should you by 
any mischance fall into stranger hands, 
they will, I know, be impressed with the 


40 


LITTLE MISS FAITH. 


words of the text on the tag. But I have 
no fear; for that conductors face is one 
of honesty, as his heart is one of sym- 
pathy. He has promised to look after 
you, and I know that he will do so.” 

The parting between Elsie and her 
mother did not seem to have a shadow 
of regret. Each had, no doubt, tried to 
be brave for the other’s good ; and as 
the train steamed out of the station, the 
happy “ Good-by ” of Elsie was responded 
to by her mother, while the latter had 
no time for after thoughts, for Miss Green, 
with her usual kindness, said, turning to 
Mrs. Lovelace, — 

“ Now, Mrs. Lovelace, I want you to 
go home with me, and, in fact, I expect 
you to be my guest for a week.” 

There was no time for excuses. It 
was but the work of a moment to get 


LITTLE MISS FAITH. 


41 


aboard a horse-car; and when Mrs. Love- 
lace remarked, “ I have a piece of work 
to finish for Mrs. Clark this week,” Miss 
Green, all prepared, answered firmly, — 

“ We will run in and get it to-morrow, 
then ; but to-day is to be a real holiday, 
and this afternoon w T e shall go for a 
drive.” 

Meanwhile Elsie was speeding on. She 
sat quietly looking out of the window. 
She attempted to play the game of travel- 
ling solitaire, — bipeds counting two, quad- 
rupeds four, and the black cat in the 
window (rarely found) counting six, — 
game one hundred, to be reached between 
stations; but the train made such quick 
time that it was too exciting work for 
the little traveller, so she tried to interest 
herself with the other passengers in the 


car. 


42 


LITTLE MISS FAITH. 


Opposite sat a fashionable-looking party 
of young ladies, chattering like magpies, 
and Elsie wondered if they were going 
away on a visit too ! 

Then there was a woman with four 
little children in front of her, and one 
of the little ones would lean over the 
back of the seat and smile at Elsie, who 
was in terror lest the stick of peppermint 
candy which the little fellow was eating 
would fall into her lap, on her new dress. 
She hardly dared to smile in return, 
for fear the child might urge a closer 
acquaintance. 

Each of his brothers was as well sup- 
plied as he with refreshments, as if the 
mother had given them to keep the peace. 

But the baby! Well, it squirmed about 
in the arms of the poor tired-looking 
mother, crying and fretting constantly, 


LITTLE MISS FAITH. 


43 


until Elsie, though but a child herself, said 
to the mother in her irresistible way, — 
“ I don’t believe but that baby would 
come to me, and won’t you let me take 
him, please ? ” 

Again the mother sighed, but it was 
with relief, as, placing the little wee thing 
in Elsie’s arms, she said proudly, “ His 
name is Napoleon Bonaparte, miss. ” 
Napoleon Bonaparte ! Elsie had learned, 
in her rudiments of history, of that great 
name ; but somehow she felt it most 
inappropriate to this wee little baby, so 
out of sorts. 

It was wonderful how well she amused 
him. She counted off all about the 
“little pigs” on his little pink toes, she 
played “peep boo” behind the fan Miss 
Green had given her in parting, and her 
singing of “ Baby By-low ” was rewarded 


44 


LITTLE MISS FAITH 


by having him fall asleep in her arms; 
and the tired mother, seeing the happy 
change, laid him on the extra seat, mak- 
ing him a bed out of some of the many 
wraps belonging to the party. 

Every now and then the honest face 
of the conductor peeped in at the door 
as he announced the way stations ; and 
Elsie felt as if she was in safe hands, 
for he never forgot to say to her, — 

“ Not yet, my little girl.” 

The fruit-vender passed through the 
car ; and the children’s mother bought 
reinforcements for each of her little ones, 
saying, as she did so, to Elsie, as if in 
apology, — 

“ Anything to keep ’em quiet, miss ; ” 
and then, as if trying to be polite, she 
added, “ Don’t you want a banana or 
an apple, miss ? ” 


LITTLE MISS FAITH. 


45 


“No, I thank you,” replied Elsie; and 
she looked up to see the conductor com- 
ing towards her. Patting her on the 
shoulder, he said, — 

“ Are you lonesome, little one ? We ’ll 
soon be there ; but don’t get nervous. I 
shall come for you, and lift you right out 
of the car myself. I told your mother I 
should follow the Golden Rule, and I 
shall. Possibly you don’t know what 
that is ; do you ? ” he asked. 

Elsie assured him that she did, and 
added, as if in proof, — 

“You have been very kind to me, sir, 
as kind as any one could be ; and I hope 
if ever your little girl goes on a journey, 
she will have the same good care you 
have given me.” 

Soon “down brakes” was whistled by 
the noisy engine, and the conductor flew 


46 


LITTLE MISS FAITH. 


through the car, grasped Elsie’s valise in 
his hand and getting towards the door, 
with Elsie following, shouted in a voice 
that expressed no doubt, “ Hazelwood ; ” 
and Elsie was lifted bodily in his strong 
arms off the car-step, and stood alone, the 
only passenger, on the platform, the con- 
ductor shouting to the station-agent, — 

<c Say, Mack, see that this little mite of 
luggage gets up to the Heights — Falcons- 
height — before dark. Good-by, little 
girl,” he added to Elsie ; and with a wave 
of his hand, as a signal, the long train 
continued on its way, and Elsie for the 
moment felt just her first pang of real 
loneliness. 

It was only for a moment, however; 
for her attention was attracted by a sweet 
voice, saying, — 

“ I wonder if this is my little visitor. 


LITTLE MISS FAITH. 


47 


What is your name, little girl ? But I 
see it plainly written on the tag; that is 
Miss Green’s forethought, I know. And 
you are little Elsie Lovelace, and I am 
Faith Goodwin’s mother; so we must be 
good friends, and not waste any time in 
making ourselves acquainted.” 

“ Such a beautiful face ! ” thought Elsie, 
and her voice was like sweet music ! 
Indeed the very way in which she said, 
“ James, please take this little girl’s valise to 
the carriage, and we will follow,” Elsie 
noticed had nothing of command in it; but 
James obeyed without delay, and Mrs. 
Goodwin and Elsie followed to the back of 
the station, where was a beautiful carriage, 
with a pair of bay horses in waiting. 

Mrs. Goodwin placed Elsie safely inside 
the carriage, and seated herself beside 
her, and they rode away through the 


48 


LITTLE MISS FAITH. 


village, then off through the woodland 
road, Elsie meanwhile almost entranced 
with delight. Finally she yentured the 
question, — 

“ Have you ever read ‘ Cinderella,’ Mrs. 
Goodwin ? ” 

“ Oh, yes,” replied Mrs. Goodwin, “ long 
ago, when I was a little girl like you. Of 
course you have read it too.” 

“ Yes, ma’am,” replied Elsie, “ and I was 
trying to think if Cinderella felt any hap- 
pier than I do, when she started off to 
the ball in her carriage.” Then, as if in 
thought, she added : “ I should n’t want 
these horses to turn into mice, though, 
for I ’m terribly afraid of mice ; and is n’t 
it funny, the wheels of this carriage are 
yellow, just as yellow as the pumpkin that 
Cinderella’s fairy godmother made over 
for her? Will you be my fairy god- 


LITTLE MISS FAITH. 


49 


mother, Mrs. Goodwin ? Only don’t, don’t, 
please, run away as Cinderella’s did, will 
you ? ” asked Elsie. 

This little story seemed to bring the 
two into closest thought, and Mrs. Good- 
win answered Elsie that she would be her 
fairy godmother, if she wanted her to be so, 
and would not leave her until she returned 
her to her own dear mother. 

Elsie saw much to enjoy. Country life 
was new to her, and the green trees grow 
ing in such profusion looked “just as 
they did in pictures,” she said, forgetful 
of the fact that the pictures were made 
from the trees. 

She wanted to get out and pick a few 
of the wild-flowers, but hardly dared to 
ask her hostess if she might do so, 
when Mrs. Goodwin said, “James, rest 
the horses for a moment in the shade, 


4 


50 


LITTLE MISS FAITH. 


and we will get out and gather a few of 
these flowers to take home to Miss Faith.” 

By the roadside they sauntered, and 
Elsie picked for her unknown friend a 
bunch of bright wild-flowers; and they 
returned to the carriage, and were soon 
in sight of Falcons-height, Elsie in her 
childlike way saying, — 

“ That must be the Prince s castle, fairy 
godmother.” 

“ No, my dear,” rejoined Mrs. Goodwin, 
“ that is my home, your home for the 
present, and I am going to show you one 
of the sweetest little girls you ever saw. 
She cannot walk about, as you can, to be 
sure, but you cannot help loving her, and 
I prophesy you will be the fondest of 
friends. But here we are ! ” and as they 
drove up to the house, Elsie saw at the 
window the little invalid in her chair, and 



“ A little white hand waved a welcome to the home- 

” — Page 53. 


comers. 








LITTLE MISS FAITH. 


53 


a golden-haired girl looked out, whose 
little white hand waved a welcome to the 
home-comers. 

Mrs. Goodwin led the way to Faith’s 
room, Elsie following with subdued step, 
for she felt that a sick-room must be a sad 
place. Once inside, however, she forgot 
her first thoughts, and stood, hardly know- 
ing what to do, when a musical voice 
called out, “ Welcome, little sister ! Come 
and kiss me, for I can’t come to you, you 
see ; ” and Elsie knew she had found a 
friend in Faith. 

“ Then I can be your little sister, can’t 
I, for a week ? Can’t I ? Mamma said 
you would n’t like me to call you so, but I 
shall tell her you called me your sister 
first, and so — I’ll kiss you, and call you 
sister — what shall I say?” asked Elsie. 

“ Sister Faith only,” replied the ether, 
“ and you shall be my dear sister Elsie.” 


54 


LITTLE MISS FAITH. 


“ Oh, what a pretty room this is ! ” said 
Elsie, as she walked from side to side, 
admiring the low book-shelves so arranged 
as to be within reach when Faith rolled 
herself about in her chair. They lined 
two sides of the room, and on one end 
of one of the bookcases was a sort of 
writing-desk that was so hinged as to fold 
at will. A low blackboard stood on its 
standard, so as to be readily reached by 
Faith, while a pretty doll-house was all 
arranged, as if in expectancy of the little 
visitor, who surveyed it admiringly. 

One of the silent dwellers of the little 
house stood with her hand upon the door, 
as if she were holding it open for Elsie’s 
coming. 

The setting sun poured in at the win- 
dows of Faith’s room, and shone across 
the little bed, and upon the low table at 


LITTLE MISS FAITH. 


55 


its side, which Faith jestingly called her 
“ five o’clock,’ after the fashion of the 
day. • 

It stood now awaiting the tea-tray, 
which Rachel was just bringing in; and 
Faith, by way of introduction, said, — 

“ This is my good nursey Rachel, 
sister Elsie. She has taken care of me 
ever since I was born.” 

“How do, miss?” said Rachel, as she 
bowed, or courtesied rather, to the intro- 
duction, and added : “ Yes, miss, and I 
reck’n I ’ll stay with Missy Faith as long 
as she done goin’ let me. But here ’s your 
supper, missy. I ’se sorry to intrude, but 
p’rhaps you disremember it’s goin’ on 
five o’clock ; ” then, turning to Elsie, she 
said, “ I don’t guess you care for yours so 
early, miss ; ” and she made ready the little 
table. 


56 


LITTLE MISS FAITH. 


She exchanged the pretty roses that 
had decorated it all day, for the bright 
wild-flowers that Elsie had picked by the 
roadside, and with that tact for which her 
people are well noted, said, — 

“ We can get roses any time, but wild- 
flowers are scurcerer.” 

As Faith sat eating her simple supper, 
she chatted with her new friend, and the 
two seemed like old acquaintances when 
Mrs. Goodwin entered, and called Elsie to 
come into a little room adjoining, and 
asked her if she would like to unpack her 
valise herself ; if not, Rachel should do so 
for her. But Faith, who had overheard 
the conversation, decided the question by 
calling, — 

“ Oh, mamma, do please let sister Elsie 
come back to me, and have Rachel put 
away her clothes, won’t you ? ” 


LITTLE MISS FAITH. 


57 


So back again came Elsie to the little 
invalid’s side, and they chatted untiringly 
about the beautiful country and the green 
trees and pretty wild-flowers, all so new to 
the little city girl. 

The dusky Rachel ventured once over 
the threshold, but was unobserved by the 
happy children, and returned to Mrs. 
Goodwin, saying, — 

“ It done beat all to hear those two 
chilluns talking. You would think they 
had been pickaninnies together all their 
lives ; and,” she added with emphasis, 
“ I ’se not ’fraid of that chile. I b’lieve 
she ’s mos’ as good as little Missy Faith! 
Leastwise, her face and manners look 
it ; but I ’ll wait a bit, I reck’n, for pretty 
is that handsome does.” 


CHAPTER IV. 


LSIE’S first night at Fal- 
cons-height was a peace- 
ful one. She was tired 
from her long journey, and 
was quite ready to go to 
bed at the same early hour that Faith 
did. 

Thoughts of her mother were with 
her until she closed her eyes in sleep. 

She was awakened in the morning by 
the ringing of bells. She thought they 
did not sound quite like the fire-bells at 
home, but could not resist getting out 
of her bed to see. Everything was so 
peaceful that she was sure there could 



LITTLE MISS FAITH. 


59 


be no fire, and was about to get back 
for just a little last nap, when Rachel 
tapped at her door, and told her break- 
fast would be ready in half an hour, 
and offered her services to help dress 
her; but the little girl had long ago 
learned the art of dressing herself, and 
refused kindly the proffered help. 

“What are the bells ringing for?” 
Elsie called to Rachel. 

“ Why, why, bress me, chile, an’ you 
from the city an’ dunno’ what day ’t is ! 
Why, this was the day what we Ameri- 
cans just teached those Britishers that 
we owned our own country;” and Rachel 
seemed to look a direct descendant of some 
revolutionary hero. She added: “This is 
the Seventeenth of June, bress you, chile. 
4 Hear dem bells ; ’ ” and Rachel went away 
singing the lines of the old plantation 


6o 


LITTLE MISS FAITH. 


song over and over again ; and Elsie 
remembered that it was a holiday, and 
knew the bells must be the church and 
factory bells of the village. 

Hastily dressing, she joined the family 
in the dining-room at breakfast. 

“Good morning; how did you sleep, 
little girl, in your new home ? ” Mrs. Good- 
win asked. 

“ Good morning, fairy godmother. Why, 
I slept just as hard as I could, thank 
you. I was so tired I dreamed I was a 
nurse to a little fairy prince, and he was 
just as naughty as any baby, too, Mrs. 
Goodwin.” 

“ Perhaps you were still thinking of 
Cinderella and her pretty story, Elsie,” 
rejoined Mrs. Goodwin. 

“ Oh, perhaps I was ; ” said Elsie, “ but I 
guess that that naughty Napoleon Bona- 


LITTLE MISS FAITH. 


6 


parte was in my dreams too. Ugh ! how 
he did cry, Mrs. Goodwin!” And Elsie 
told Mrs. Goodwin of the companions 
of her journey. 

After breakfast, as was the custom, the 
family met in Faith’s room, and held their 
morning-prayer service, which seemed to 
be like a blessing on the day. 

The little invalid seemed unusually 
bright, and Mrs. Goodwin began to think 
that youth was the fittest company for 
its own, after all. 

Rachel had served, a day or two before, 
as a go-between from her little mistress 
to one of the housemaids, who was 
called to the city by the sickness of 
one of that large army of “cousins,” who 
had bought for Faith the ribbons for her 
holiday dress, which was of simple white 
cambric. Flowing out from the side of 


62 


LITTLE MISS FAITH. 


the little girl’s chair was the broad sash 
of red, white, and blue ribbon ; and Faith 
insisted that Elsie should wear its dupli- 
cate, which at the same time she had 
ordered for her visitor. 

Faith still further surprised her family 
by requesting that she might be taken 
down on the broad piazza, and hear 
what she could of her father’s address to 
the villagers, who had been invited to 
Falcons-height, and given its freedom 
from eleven till four. A substantial lun- 
cheon was to be served under the trees, 
after Judge Goodwin’s patriotic address 
was over, and then the boats on the 
lake were to be at the service of any 
who wished to use them. 

Rachel seemed to feel herself a mis- 
tress of ceremonies almost, and went 
about with an air of possession that her 


LITTLE MISS FAITH. 63 

long life under the family roof seemed 
to excuse. 

Indeed, she always used the first person 
plural when speaking of anything belong- 
ing to the Goodwin mansion. 

“ Our horses ” always conveyed an air 
of interest rather than of possession, 
though ; and so to-day she felt the impor- 
tance of the hour, and her position, as 
she urged more speed in preparation, 
saying, — 

“ I don’t want to disencourage you, 
Massa Goodwin, but I don’t guess you 
know what time it is, does yer? Our 
clock thar says half-past ten, and only 
thirty minutes left to get the chairs 
arrayed on the piazza for the quality 
folk.” 

And she excused herself to Missy, 
adding that she would come right back 


64 LITTLE MISS FAITH. 

to her as soon as she had attended to 
that part of the day’s duties which she 
took upon herself to do. 

It was decided that Faith’s chair should 
be in a sheltered corner of the piazza, 
where she might at will make herself 
known to the company; and Rachel 
stood her body-guard, watching her every 
movement. 

Along the long avenues leading to 
the house, crowds of villagers wended 
their way, all in holiday attire. Old 
Farmer Peters led by the hand a little 
grandchild, while his wife followed with 
another; and his daughter, the mother 
of the little family, sheltered a third, a 
wee baby, in her arms. All ages, and, 
too, all faiths were represented; for Judge 
Goodwin had had notices of invitation 
tacked to the trees, and one staring great 


LITTLE MISS FAITH. 


65 


notice in big black lettering had decorated 
the town pump for a week, which read, — 

Freedom of Falcons-height. 

Judge and Mrs. Goodwin will receive the 
townspeople of Hazelwood on June seventeenth, 
from eleven A. M. until four P. M. 

Come all — for all will be welcome. 

And all were made welcome. Swings 
had been hung to some of the older 
trees, away from the house, so that the 
little people who could not quite under- 
stand Judge Goodwin’s address might 
leave their parents uninterrupted in the 
enjoyment of it. 

James and the gardener performed 
escort duty through the long conserva- 
tories ; their duties were light, however, for 
it was only the tiny child, who knew no 
better, that had to be chided for touching, 
unbidden, the bright flowers. 


5 


66 


LITTLE MISS FAITH. 


All seemed impressed with the gener- 
osity of the lord of the manor, and would 
not trespass upon his hospitality. 

Judge and Mrs. Goodwin, standing 
upon the steps of the piazza, bade their 
guests welcome; and the former, in his 
short address, carried the people back 
in thought to those days of the Revolu- 
tionary War, and, as if to freshen the 
memories of the older and tax the knowl- 
edge of the younger people, he called 
upon some of the schoolchildren to an- 
swer such questions as, “ What caused the 
Revolutionary War?” and, “Where was 
the first blood shed during that war ? ” 

One little girl, in a stronger voice than 
her looks indicated, called out in answer 
to the first question, “Tea!” which made 
all shout with laughter, although all felt 
that the little scholar had the true idea. 


LITTLE MISS FAITH. 


67 


To the question “ Where was the first 
blood shed ? ” there was a difference of 
opinion. Some cried, “ Lexington,” some 
“ Concord ; ” and J udge Goodwin was forced 
to explain that “ historians differ, but that 
no doubt the first shot heard around the 
world was at Lexington.” 

And so the day brought its teachings 
as well as its pleasures. 

“ And now,” concluded Judge Goodwin, 
“ my good friends and neighbors, I offer 
to you all, in behalf of Mrs. Goodwin and 
myself, the freedom and hospitality of 
Falcons-height. Luncheon will be served 
under the trees at one o’clock.” 

This was a signal for loud cheering by 
the villagers for their host and hostess. 

Faith sat in her chair in the shelter of 
the foliage, and had it not been for the 
devotion of Rachel would have been over- 


68 


LITTLE MISS FAITH. 


whelmed with the greetings of the people, 
old and young. 

Charlie Lawrence hobbled up on his 
crutches to her side, to say, — 

“ Miss Faith, I want to thank you so 
much for the pretty flowers you sent me ; 
they brightened my sick-room, and I have 
pressed them to keep always to remind 
me of you.” 

But he had to give way to old Widow 
Hunt, who felt she must say how much 
she enjoyed “ those berries you sent, Miss 
Faith.” 

And so they went on, until Rachel, who 
seemed to have full power to command, 
said, — 

“ Bress you, honey, everybody will have 
just the very same story to tell, and then 
whar’ll you be I dunno;” and she rolled 
her little mistress into the house, while up 



“ Oh, here you are, little one ! ” — Page 71. 












LITTLE MISS FAITH. 


7 1 


from the crowd went the cry, “ Blessings 
on your young head,” and “ Long life to 
you ! ” 

Elsie, meanwhile, had mingled with the 
villagers, and was made to know that she 
had one friend among them, as a tall 
man bent forward and grasped her hand, 
saying, “ Oh, here you are, little one ! I 
knew Mack would take good care of you.” 

And Elsie looked up to see the con- 
ductor who had been in truth her pro- 
tector on her journey to Hazelwood. 

“ Why, Mr. Conductor, do you live about 
here ? I thought you lived — ” 

“ On the train,” he interrupted, “ and 
slept in the wood-box, perhaps.” 

“ No, no, Mr. Conductor, but I did n’t 
know you belonged right here, where I 
was coming,” said Elsie ; then adding, 
“What is your name, please, sir ? ” 


72 


LITTLE MISS FAITH. 


“Mr. Jackson,” replied the conductor; 
“and I arranged with Jones, the other con- 
ductor who runs the night train to the city, 
to take my train, so I might come up 
here, for I live right by the depot down 
in the village. Here — here’s my little 
girl,” he added, as he took by the hand a 
modest, half-frightened little girl. “ Lucy 
is just about your age, I guess. How 
old are you, little one ? ” 

“ I shall be ten years old next week, sir,” 
answered Elsie. 

Just as she did so, Mrs. Goodwin came 
up; and after a greeting to the honest 
conductor, she turned to Elsie, saying, — 

“ Ten years old next week, did you say, 
Elsie ? ” 

“ Yes, ma’am,” replied Elsie. 

“ What day?” asked Mrs. Goodwin. 

“On the twenty-second,” replied Elsie. 


LITTLE MISS FAITH. 


73 


“ I did know the day of the week, but I 
have forgotten now. I only remember it 
will be the first birthday I ever spent away 
from my blessed mamma ; but I go home, 
you know, the next day, and she said she 
would save all her kisses for me.” 

“ The twenty-second ! ” said Mrs. Good- 
win ; “ why, what a coincidence ! and yet 
not such a strange thing, either, for my 
sister and I have the same birthday, al- 
though she is two years my senior ; but,” 
she added, “ it is Faith's birthday too. 
She will be eleven years old, and you are 
ten ? ” asked Mrs. Goodwin. 

“Yes, ma’am,” replied Elsie. 

Together they followed the company to 
the luncheon-table under the trees, Elsie 
adding to Mrs. Goodwin’s parting word 
to Mr. Jackson her own, — 

“ Good-by, Mr. Conductor Jackson. I 


74 


LITTLE MISS FAITH. 


hope you will be on the train that will 
take me home next week. Good-by, 
sir.” 

Under the shady apple-trees long tables 
had been spread, decorated with bunting 
of red, white, and blue ; and mammoth 
American flags seemed to form a canopy 
over the guests. The ices were moulded 
into eagle shapes; while in the centre of 
the table was an immense pyramid of 
sherbet, representing Bunker Hill Monu- 
ment with a miniature flag in spun candy 
flying from the top. 

Everything wore a patriotic look, and 
the great company separated with the 
singing of “ The Star-Spangled Banner ; ” 
Faith seeming to add her blessing, as 
she waved from her window a little starry 
flag. 

Just as Conductor Jackson was leaving, 


LITTLE MISS FAITH. 


75 


Mrs. Goodwin, who had been missing 
for a few moments from the gala crowd, 
went up to him, and said, — 

“ Mr Jackson, did I understand you 
were going on the six-o’clock train to 
the city ? ” 

“Yes, Mrs. Goodwin,” replied the con- 
ductor. “ I board it at the station in 
an hour. Can I do anything for you? 
I shall be there by ten o’clock to-night. 
Command me.” 

“ No, good sir,” rejoined Mrs. Goodwin, 
“ I cannot command ; but I have a very im- 
portant note which I would like delivered 
to-night. Pretty late to ask a tired man 
to become a messenger boy, is n’t it ? But 
the truth is, I cannot explain my business 
as I would like by telegraph.” 

“No apologies, Mrs. Goodwin ; it will 
be a pleasure to serve you, and sleep lost 


76 


LITTLE MISS FAITH. 


in doing for you will be happiness gained 
in its place,” replied the gallant conductor. 

“ Thank you,” returned Mrs. Goodwin. 
“ Then will you be so kind as to see this 
note delivered to-night, if your train is 
on time ; if not, very early in the morning 
will answer.” 

And so Mr. Jackson, who had before 
proved himself such an honest “ old reli- 
able” to Miss Green, became likewise the 
faithful messenger for Mrs. Goodwin ; for, 
before he slept that night, he had fulfilled 
his promise to the latter. 


CHAPTER V. 


HE next morning Elsie 
woke up to the music of 
the rain on the window, 
and heard it patter on 
the tin roof of the wide 

piazza. 

Raising her curtain, she looked out 
upon the country. She had never seen 
so many trees before, she thought, as 
each one stood out so green, dripping 
with the heavy rain ; and the leaves looked 
so shining she could only think of Mrs. 
Blake’s wax flowers, and became surer 
than ever of her neighbor’s genius as an 
artist. 



78 


LITTLE MISS FAITH. 


It seemed as if she were always com- . 
paring the real with the copy, for the 
copy had been to her, through her little 
life, the reality. 

On the broad lawn the robins in their 
scarlet waistcoats hopped and halted in 
their funny way, as if listening to some 
voice calling them to their breakfast, as 
they dipped their beaks into the wet 
ground, to snatch the worms which were 
to be the food for their little families, high 
up in the trees; and away they flew with 
them. 

Patter, patter, patter, fell the rain ; and 
Elsie felt, with each sound, as if one day 
of her visit must be lost, but chided 
herself for such an ungenerous thought, 
and said aloud, thinking of Faith’s pa- 
tience, — 

“ I ought to be thankful that I have 


LITTLE MISS FAITH. 


7 9 


so many days when I can go out; and 
besides, to-day will be just the day for 
me to amuse and play with my new 
sister Faith,” when a sweet voice cried 
out, — 

“Are you calling me, little sister? I 
heard you say my name, did n’t I ? ” 

“ Yes,” answered Elsie, glad enough 
that her good spirit had come to her in 
time, — “ yes, I was talking to myself, 
and saying you and I can have a nice 
day to play together. Can’t we ? May 
I come in ? ” and she sealed her “ Good- 
morning” with a kiss. 

It was arranged that the two children 
should have this as a day to devote to 
books and dolls ; and Dollie Dorothy 
“ made her debut into society,” so Elsie 
said. 

It was laughable to hear the instruc- 


8o 


LITTLE MISS FAITH. 


tions given the inhabitants of Dollie-land, 
as to how they must behave when they 
went out calling. 

“Now, Dorothy,” said Elsie, “you must 
sit very quietly in the parlor, and be sure 
you do not cross your feet; for that is 
very bad manners, you know.” 

Considering that Dorothy’s joints were 
not those of her own free will but worked 
by her little mistress, the advice seemed 
very funny. 

“And, too,” she continued, “you must 
always rise from your chair when a caller 
leaves the room, and, above all, be quite 
sure to shake hands with the lady of the 
house when you depart.” 

All these commands, and others too, 
were heeded more by Mrs. Goodwin, who 
sat by, than by the dumb toy of the play- 
room. She was amazed to see the know- 


LITTLE MISS FAITH. 


ledge that Elsie had of the customs of 
good society, and felt sure that her youth 
was guarded by one who had been well 
used to the nicer ways of life. 

The morning seemed very short to 
Elsie, despite the rain ; and she was quite 
sure that Faith, too, looked at it in the 
same way, for when Rachel came in with 
her dinner-tray she looked up surprised, 
and said cheerily, — 

“ Please don’t say it is dinner-time, 
Nursey. Can it be ? Cook’s clock is fast ; 
I know it must be.” 

“No, missy, it is jus’ right by the sun; 
and look yonder, thar is the sun heself, 
trying to get out of that thar bank of 
clouds now. He ’ll soon crack a smile on 
that picture thar ahind the do’; just whar 
he did yesterday, or ’bout.” 

And true to Rachel’s predictions, the 


6 


82 


LITTLE MISS FAITH. 


afternoon was bright and sunny, although 
everything was fairly deluged with the 
rain, that had fallen incessantly all night 
long. 

Mrs. Goodwin proposed to Elsie that 
they ride over to the other side of the 
lake, and carry old Mrs. Harris some 
strawberries ; “ And,” added Faith, “ you 
won’t forget the jug of fresh cream to 
put on them, mamma, will you ? ” 

Another ride in Cinderella’s coach was 
an unexpected pleasure to Elsie, but she 
did not forget a thought for Faith, and 
generously offered to stay behind and 
read “ Dollikins and the Miser ” to her ; 
but Faith would not have it so, and with 
equal thought replied, — 

“ Oh, please, Elsie, go with mamma, 
and see my very oldest friend in Hazel- 
wood. Good-by; run and dress quickly, 


LITTLE MISS FAITH. 


33 


for I hear the carriage in the driveway 
now, and Prince and Princess will be 
just wild to go, after a dull morning in 
the stable.” 

A wave of the hand from the win- 
dow, and a crack of the whip, which 
James always insisted upon at the start, 
as “a speed away,” he said, and Mrs. 
Goodwin and Elsie were on the way to 
the cottage of old Mrs. Harris, whom 
Faith had rightfully called her oldest 
friend in Hazelwood, for she was the old- 
est person in the town. 

A little basket heaped with big straw- 
berries and covered with bright green 
leaves, a jug of fresh cream, and a box 
of cut flowers from the conservatory, 
were the offerings of the two; and Elsie 
seemed to feel herself a partaker in the 
thought of the old lady, by her share 


8 4 


LITTLE MISS FAITH. 


in the care of the goodies which she 
held in her lap. 

“ Is Mrs. Harris a truly sick woman, 
Mrs. Goodwin ? ” asked Elsie. 

“ Why, yes, she is sick, yet not sick 
abed ; is that what you mean ? ” answered 
Mrs. Goodwin. 

“Yes, ma’am,” replied Elsie, as she 
added her childish explanation of her 
question, — “for you know when people 
can sit up, even if they are sick, they are 
lots better off than when they have to lie 
in bed ; and yet — ” she hesitated before 
continuing, “ and yet sister Faith does n’t 
seem to be much better off, does she, fairy 
godmother? ” 

Mrs. Goodwin assured her well-meaning 
companion that Faith enjoyed a great 
amount of pleasure in life ; “ and,” she con- 
tinued, “ I often think that she gives 


LITTLE MISS FAITH. 85 

possibly more happiness to others than 
many who haVe good health.” 

“ Oh, I am sure she does,” replied Elsie, 
“ and she teaches just such thankless little 
girls as I am that we must try to enjoy 
all we have, and not wish for more that we 
can’t have. I don’t spend so very much 
time in wishing; but I often think, Mrs. 
Goodwin, that I would like to see my 
blessed mamma riding in just such a 
pretty carriage as this. You have n’t ever 
seen my mamma, have you, Mrs. Good- 
win ? ” she asked. 

Mrs. Goodwin assured Elsie she had 
not had that pleasure, and asked her to 
describe her; and the child attempted 
to do so, prefacing her description by 
saying, — 

“Well, I think she is the handsomest 
lady I ever saw ; ” and added with equal 


86 


LITTLE MISS FAITH. 


truth, “ Least she was until I saw you, 
Mrs. Goodwin. Well, now, I ’ll describe 
her to you ; ” and she began : “ She is 

about as tall as you are, but, of course, she 
does n’t dress in such pretty dresses as you 
do. She has great blue eyes, — big ones, I 
mean, — and they always seem to be look- 
ing — somewhere! Of course, everybody’s 
eyes look somewhere, unless they are 
blind; but I know just what I mean, if 
you don’t.” 

And Mrs. Goodwin saw in fancy the 
eyes which seem to express present and 
future in their soulful depths. 

“ And her hair,” continued Elsie, “ oh, it 
is so very light, — not white, I don’t mean 
that ; oh, no, my blessed mamma is n’t old 
enough for white hair.” 

Then, as if in thought, she looked 
closely at Mrs. Goodwin’s pretty curls 


LITTLE MISS FAITH. 


87 


that blew about in the summer wind, and 
added : “ Nor you, either ; you are n’t old 
enough for white hair, are you, Mrs. 
Goodwin ? How old do people have to 
be to grow white hair, fairy godmother ? ” 
the child asked. 

Mrs. Goodwin told Elsie that there 
was no special age; sometimes hair grew 
white in a single night, as did that of the 
Prisoner of Chillon, and was surprised to 
find that Elsie knew the story, for it was 
“ in her new reading-book,” she said. 

“Well,” Elsie went on, “my mamma 
has n’t very rosy cheeks, but have n’t you 
seen a pretty peach, Mrs. Goodwin, — a 
white-skinned one, I mean, just as it is 
getting ripe? I never saw but just one 
like what I mean, and that was one of 
Mrs. Blake’s wax ones ; but Mrs. Blake said 
it was just like a truly real one growing, and 


88 


LITTLE MISS FAITH. 


it looked just like my blessed mamma’s 
cheeks. And then she has pretty white 
teeth ; and when she smiles, oh ! when she 
smiles, why, you feel as if you must kiss 
her ! There,” Elsie concluded, “ that is 
my blessed mamma ! Now, is n’t she 
handsome, Mrs. Goodwin ? ” 

Satisfaction and admiration showed 
themselves in her youthful face, and Mrs. 
Goodwin could n’t quite see why Elsie 
must make an exception in her favor, for 
she was sure Mrs. Lovelace must be a far 
prettier woman than she had ever seen 
reflected in her own mirror. She was 
delighted, nevertheless, to hear the honest 
words of the child, and equally pleased to 
have such a pretty picture so faithfully 
described. 

“ I am sure she must be,” replied Mrs. 
Goodwin, “ and I shall hope to see her 


LITTLE MISS FAITH. 


some day. Why did n’t she come with 
you ? ” she asked. 

“ Why, she was n’t invited, you know,” 
replied Elsie, with all a child’s honesty. 

“ True, true,” rejoined her hostess. “ I 
only thought of Faith’s one wish, and I 
fear I was a little heedless not to remem- 
ber that your mother might be lonely 
without such a cheery companion as her 
little girl. By the way, Elsie, I had word 
from her through Miss Green to-day, for 
I telegraphed your safe arrival. We must 
try to arrange some time for a visit from 
her.” 

“ Oh, will you, will you, fairy god- 
mother?” cried Elsie, gleefully; and for- 
getting the berries she was guardian over, 
she but just rescued them from a renewed 
acquaintance with their mother earth, as the 
carriage drew up before Mrs. Harris’s door. 


90 


LITTLE MISS FAITII. 


The old lady was of course pleased 
to see her visitors, and grateful for the 
goodies and flowers they brought. Sur- 
veying Elsie through her gold-rimmed 
glasses, she said, turning to Mrs. Good- 
win, — 

“ Well, all I can say is, she ’s a purty 
creetur, — purty creetur ! ” 

The call was of necessity a short one, 
for Mrs. Goodwin excused herself, say- 
ing, “ I must get home, so that James may 
drive to the post-office, for I am expect- 
ing a very important letter to-night.” 

So, after wishing the old lady a speedy 
return to her usual health, never very ro- 
bust, they drove home, and reached Fal- 
cons-height before Faith had finished her 
supper. 

That night, as Faith lay in her little bed, 
Elsie sat in the twilight with her. 



“Twinkle, twinkle, little star.” — Page 93. 








LITTLE MISS FAITH. 


93 


One by one the stars peeped out ; and 
Faith, who since earliest childhood seemed 
to take pleasure in counting them as they 
crept out, repeated the words of the little 
song, — 

“ Twinkle, twinkle, little star'. 

How I wonder what you are, 

Up above the world so high, 

Like a lanterii in the sky ! ” 

After pausing a moment, she continued 
her chat with her little companion, and 
said, — 

“ When I was a little wee bit of a 
girl, sister Elsie, I used to think the stars 
were peep-holes through the blue sky 
into heaven ; and as I grew older a little, 
I liked to think that the angels were 
watching over me, and swinging bright 
lanterns back and forth, and lighting up 
the peep-holes. Do you see, Elsie, those 
two very bright stars over there, by that 
steeple, just beyond its top?” 


94 


LITTLE MISS FAITH. 


Elsie replied that she did. 

“ Well,” continued Faith, “ I call them 
all sky lanterns, and those two I call 
grandmas and Auntie May’s; and some 
nights when I can’t sleep I just like to 
lie and look at those two stars, and I 
like, too, to imagine that grandma and 
Auntie May are watching over me, and 
their sky lanterns seem brighter than 
ever these last few days.” 


CHAPTER VI. 


HE next day Mrs. Goodwin 
told Faith that she had 
learned that Elsie’s birth- 
day came on the same 
day with hers, the twenty- 
second. 

“ Oh, mamma, if I were only well we 
might have a little party, mightn’t we?” 
said Faith. 

“ Yes, my dear,” replied Mrs. Goodwin, 
“ and I have been planning in my mind, 
ever since Elsie told me, some way that 
we might make it possible to celebrate 
the day.” 

“Oh, do, do, dear mamma! If only 
Elsie can have a party, I should be so 



96 


LITTLE MISS FAITH 


happy. Can’t we plan one for her ? ” 
asked Faith, whose face was radiant with 
smiles. 

“ Do you think, my little girl, that you 
would feel able to come to it ? ” asked 
her mother. 

“ Why,” replied Faith, “ if I am not 
able to come as company, I can be a 
looker-on from my window. I suppose 
the invitations ought to be sent out in 
my name, though, mamma. Can’t I, oh, 
can’t I give it for my little friend ? Can’t 
I be the hostess ? Is n’t that the right 
word ? I can’t drive about as fashionable 
ladies do, and leave the cards of invita- 
tion ; but why can’t you and Elsie do 
that part right away?” 

“Just as my little girl thinks best,” 
replied Mrs. Goodwin. 

So it was decided that the invitations 


LITTLE MISS FAITH. 


97 


should be written, and delivered from 
house to house in the afternoon. 

“And,” said Mrs. Goodwin, “we will 
so plan it as to reach the station in time 
for the afternoon train from the city, for 
I want to get a bundle that is coming 
on it for me.” 

Judge Goodwin offered to become the 
amanuensis of the hour, and forty little 
notes on dainty rose-colored paper read 
as follows : — 

Miss Goodwin invites you to be present at 
a birthday garden-party given in honor of her 
friend, Miss Lovelace, and also to celebrate her 
own birthday, on June twenty-second, from two 
till five P. M. 

Mrs. Goodwin thought the invitation 
a little formal ; but Faith insisted it ought 
to read like those of “truly grown up 
people.” 


7 


LITTLE MISS FAITH. 


After luncheon, Mrs. Goodwin pro- 
posed to Elsie that she put on her little 
pink challi, and her hat with the pretty 
roses ; and placing the notes in a little 
basket, they started to deliver them. 

Only Elsie got out of the carriage ; and 
it was fast nearing the hour of the after- 
noon train, when she left at the minister’s 
house the last note from the basket 

“And now, James,” said Mrs. Goodwin, 
“ drive quickly to the station ; for I see 
the engine in the distance, and I would 
not miss the train any more than as if 
I were going on it myself.” 

Turning to Elsie, she said, — 

“ I not only expect a bundle, but I 
expect another visitor to Falcons-height. ” 
“ Another visitor ! ” thought Elsie, as she 
said within herself, “ Oh, dear, now I must 
be the companion, I suppose ! ” But Mrs. 



Elsie leaves the last note at the minister’s. — Page 98. 





LITTLE MISS FAITH. 


IOI 


Goodwin brought the smiles back to her 
face by saying, — 

“ I am expecting a lady friend of Miss 
Green’s.” 

Just as she said this, the engine blew 
its shrill whistle, and the train halted in 
the station, and one by one the passen- 
gers alighted. 

Mrs. Goodwin held Elsie’s hand, but 
felt its clasp loosen, and the little girl 
went running down the platform, and 
without heeding any one ran to the side 
of a lady who held out her arms to clasp 
her; and Elsie and her mother were 
entirely unmindful of all but their own 
happiness. 

“ Oh, mamma, mamma, my blessed 
mamma, what have you come for? How 
did you get here? Where are you going?” 
asked Elsie, all in one breath ; and before 


102 


LITTLE MISS FAITH. 


Mrs. Lovelace could reply, Mrs. Goodwin 
clasped her visitor’s hand, and turning 
to Elsie, answered all the little girl’s 
questions, saying, — 

“Your mother has come to visit me, 
at my invitation, dear.” 

Elsie in her childish delight kissed 
first the hand of one and then the other. 
It was a genuine surprise, as Mrs. Good- 
win intended it should be. 

When they were safely on their way 
to Falcons-height, Elsie asked Mrs. Good- 
win how it was that she got word to her 
mother so quickly. 

“ I sent a note by Mr. Jackson to Miss 
Green the night of the Seventeenth, and 
last night I received an answer,” replied 
Mrs. Goodwin. 

“ Then you did invite her before I 
told you she did n’t come with me because 


LITTLE MISS FAITH. 


103 


she was not asked, did n’t you, fairy god- 
mother ? ” said Elsie. 

“ Oh, yes,” replied Mrs. Goodwin. “ The 
day you told me that your birthday was 
to be the same day with Faith’s, I resolved 
that your good mother should not have 
to hoard any kisses for your return, but 
should give them to you as she has always 
done on your birthday.” 

“We cannot thank you enough for 
your kindness,” said Mrs. Lovelace, speak- 
ing for both Elsie and herself. “ I hope 
I may be able to make myself useful 
during my short stay at Falcons-h eight.” 

“ No,” replied her hostess, — “ no, you 
are to be solely ornamental, as I am sure 
you will be, for I quite agree with Elsie in 
her description of her blessed mamma.’ 

“ Oh, yes, mamma, I told Mrs. Goodwin 
just how you looked ; and did n’t I tell the 


104 


LITTLE MISS FAITH. 


truth, fairy godmother ? ” said Elsie, turn- 
ing with manifest satisfaction to Mrs. 
Goodwin. 

“ Yes, you were quite right, little girl,” 
replied the latter, and turning, she added 
to Mrs. Lovelace, “Yonder, Mrs. Love- 
lace, is my only child — my one little girl 
— at the window.” 

“ Oh, yes, mamma,” interrupted Elsie, 
“ and she is just an angel, too ; ” then she 
added thoughtfully, “ But I ’m glad she 
is n’t a truly angel, though.” 

“ The two little girls seem to have be- 
come quite well acquainted,” said Mrs. 
Lovelace; and Mrs. Goodwin added, — 

“Yes, and quite fond of each other 
too.” 

“ Yes,” said Elsie. “ Faith and I are sis- 
ters, — sisters for a week, I mean ; but truly, 
mamma, I didn’t call her so first, not until 


LITTLE MISS FAITH. 


105 


she first called me her sister, for I remem- 
bered, blessed mamma, just what you told 
me ; but the moment I looked at her, I just 
wanted to put my arms around her neck, 
and beg her to let me be her sister; and 
just as I was wishing it, her little sweet 
voice (oh, you should hear it!) said, ‘ Come, 
little sister, and kiss me,’ and you may 
believe she did not have to speak twice, 
mamma.” 

“ For you were all ready, little daughter, 
were n’t you ? ” said Mrs. Lovelace. 

“ Oh, yes, indeed. I love her next best 
to you, blessed mamma. I can, can’t I ? ” 
said Elsie. 

Mrs. Lovelace excused Elsie’s enthu- 
siasm to Mrs. Goodwin, saying, — 

“ My little daughter has lived so long 
with older people that I shall enjoy see- 
ing her happiness with her young com- 
panion.” 


IO 6 LITTLE MISS FAITH. 

Leading her mother by the hand, Elsie 
entered Faith’s room with the words, — 
“ Now see my blessed mamma,” with a 
marked emphasis on the “ my;” and added, 
“ Is n’t she most as beautiful as yours, 
sister Faith ? ” 

And the little white hand of the invalid 
grasped that of Elsie’s mother, as she 
rejoined, — 

“Yes, indeed, little sister, she looks 
exactly as I expected she would. But what 
a surprise for us all ! Now you can stay 
longer with me, can’t you ? ” 

Mrs. Lovelace was duly presented to 
Judge Goodwin, and her advent into the 
family was greeted with cordiality every- 
where, for even Rachel added her un- 
asked-for criticism, — 

“ Bress de Lor’, if she done don’t look 
jes’ like a pictur’, but I reck’ned she 
might.” 


CHAPTER VII. 


E next day was Sunday; 
and Elsie, as she awoke 
to it, wondered how she 
should spend it. At home 
she always went to church 
and Sunday-school ; but the little chapel 
of St. John was far away, and she was 
not quite sure if the Goodwins took their 
horses out on Sunday, and yet, she rea- 
soned, it was the only way of getting to 
church. 

“ Mamma,” she asked, “ do you think I 
could walk four miles, — or it would be 
eight miles if I walked home, would n’t 
it?” 



io8 


LITTLE MISS FAITH. 


“ Yes,” replied Mrs. Lovelace, “ that is 
good arithmetic, little daughter, but I have 
not the same confidence in your athletics, 
for I hardly think your little feet could 
cover eight miles even in a day; but I am 
sure that these good people will help us 
out of the difficulty, so we will go down to 
breakfast, and see what are their plans for 
the day. 

“ Hark! ” she said, “ I hear the chimes, 
Elsie. Do you hear them, and can you 
tell me the hymn they are playing?” 

“Yes, mamma,” replied Elsie; and her 
gentle voice kept time to the music of 
the bells, as she sang, “ O Paradise, O 
Paradise.” 

“ Probably there is an early service, at 
St. John’s,” said her mother. 

Their plans for the day were all made 
by Judge Goodwin, as he announced, at 


LITTLE MISS FAITH. 


109 


breakfast, that the horses would be at the 
door at quarter of ten to take all who 
would like to go to church. 

“ Perhaps you object to riding on Sun- 
day, Mrs. Lovelace,” he said ; and the 
latter answered readily, — 

“We never have the opportunity, Judge, 
so our consciences have never stood the 
test; and I see plainly it must be riding, 
or staying at home from church, and the 
right will, I am sure, cancel any wrong 
in this case. I really should like to go to 
the church that has such a musical chime 
of bells as I have heard this morning call- 
ing us there. What is the clergyman’s 
name, Judge ? ” 

“Oldrive, — Rev. Walter Oldrive,” an- 
swered Judge Goodwin. 

“ Walter Oldrive,” repeated Mrs. Love- 
lace, thoughtfully. “ I knew a clergyman 


IIO 


LITTLE MISS FAITH. 


of that name once, but he was an 
Englishman.'’ 

“Yes, Mr. Oldrive is an Englishman 
too, and comes from Southampton. Was 
he your rector there ? or perhaps you have 
never been in England?” said the Judge; 
and Mrs. Lovelace replied, — 

“ I was born there, only a few miles 
from London ; my husband’s family still 
live there, and after his death I remained 
with them for a year.” 

“ How long have you been in this coun- 
try, Mrs. Lovelace ? ” asked the host. 

“ Less than seven years, sir. It was 
while my husband was in business in 
Southampton that I knew Mr. Oldrive as 
my rector,” said Mrs. Lovelace, adding: 
“ The name is an uncommon one ; still it 
may not be, no doubt is not, the same 
gentleman.” 


LITTLE MISS FAITH 


1 1 I 


“ I am not so sure of that, Mrs. Love- 
lace,” returned Judge Goodwin. “ Stranger 
things befall us. But we will start soon ; 
so may I ask you to be ready ? ” 

The little chapel of St. John’s was a 
quaint one; and Mrs. Lovelace, as she 
entered it, was startled to see in it a 
reproduction of that other little chapel 
at Southampton. 

Its very simplicity was attractive. The 
altar and the font were both decorated 
with white lilacs, whose perfume filled 
the church ; and as the white-robed chor- 
isters entered singing the beautiful hymn, 
“ Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty,” 
each boy’s hymnal had between its leaves 
a drooping bunch of the same fragrant 
white flower. 

Mrs. Lovelace gave one glance at the 
rector’s face, and recognized her old friend 


1 12 


LITTLE MISS FAITH. 


of Southampton, and felt at home, even 
though the sight of him made her think 
of those happy days of old England. 

Memories of those hours crowded in for 
the moment, and disturbed her peace ; 
but the beautiful service soon recalled 
her to herself, and when it was over she 
whispered gently to Mrs. Goodwin that 
she would like to speak with Mr. Oldrive 
if she should not delay her good friends 
too long. 

“ No, no, indeed ; by all means, speak 
with him ; I will introduce you to him if 
you wish,” said Mrs. Goodwin. 

But there was little need of that, for 
Mr. Oldrive had discovered Mrs. Love- 
lace in the congregation, and waited to 
welcome her. His greeting was a hearty 
one, as he said with surprise, — 

“Why, why, why, my good lady, and 


LITTLE MISS FAITH. 


1 13 

how did you find us all in this little out- 
of-the-way village ? ” 

Mrs. Lovelace answered that it was 
due to Judge and Mrs. Goodwin’s kind- 
ness. 

“ I ’ll warrant it,” replied the minister, 
“for they are responsible for all the good 
and happiness that comes to this little 
town. And how is the baby? Let me 
see, her name was — ” 

“ Elsie,” prompted Mrs. Lovelace ; “ but 
she is quite a girl now — ” 

“ Of course, of course, for that was 
some years ago,” said Mr. Oldrive. 

“ Yes, here she is,” said Mrs. Lovelace, 
as she introduced her little girl. “ My 
little daughter, Mr. Oldrive. Elsie,” she 
added, “ this is the good man who was 
my kind friend when I was most in need 
of one.” 


8 


LITTLE MISS FAITH. 


114 

“ And am still, Mrs. Lovelace,” said 
Mr. Oldrive; then, turning to the Good- 
wins, who stood silent witnesses to the 
happy meeting, he said with a knowing 
twinkle in his bright eye: “You are 
entertaining an angel unawares, I think 
you will find ; but I will not longer detain 
you, for I shall call to-morrow with Mrs. 
Oldrive to talk of old times, Mrs. Love- 
lace. Good morning, all.” 

The sun was so high and hot, on the 
return drive, that Judge Goodwin sug- 
gested that James take the road through 
the woods, and spare the horses as much 
as possible. 

So slowly did they drive that it was 
quite near dinner-time when they arrived 
at Falcons-height, and their hearts were 
cheered to see Faith once again down- 
stairs ; not as before on the piazza, how- 


LITTLE MISS FAITH. 


I 15 

ever, but seated as if in state under the 
spreading branches of the apple-trees. 

Rachel with her usual thoughtfulness 
had ready for them a pitcher of ice-cool 
lemonade, and the party alighted and 
drank, under the apple-trees. 

“ Well, well, well, my little girl,” said 
the devoted father, with the smile of 
delight plainly visible upon his face ; “ I 
hardly know what next to expect. Little 
Elsie seems to have worked a marvellous 
cure with you already.” 

“Yes,” replied Faith, “and her medi- 
cine is sweet and pleasant too, dear papa ; 
I really do feel better since she came.” 

But the devoted Rachel, who was a 
close observer of Faith’s every mood, was 
not to be deceived, for she knew too well 
that the little invalid was making an 
extra effort, to brighten up Elsie’s short 
visit. 


LITTLE MISS FAITH. 


I 1 6 

The afternoon was spent out under 
the trees, and Elsie and her mother asked 
to be excused towards sunset to take a 
walk ; for to both the country was a reve- 
lation, and God in nature was almost 
as impressive to them as God in church 
worship. 

They wandered on towards the lake, 
and sat watching the reflections in its 
bosom. The frogs began their croaking; 
and to Elsie their noise was as ugly as 
it was new, and she asked, — 

“Oh, mamma, what does make their 
voices sound so hoarse ? Is it because 
they live in such damp homes, I wonder ? 
I should think they would put the birds 
all out of tune.” 

“ Not so, little daughter'” replied her 
mother ; “ for when the frogs commence 
their concert, the birds have finished 


LITTLE MISS FAITH. 1 17 

theirs, and one frog can make as much 
noise as a tree-full of birds. But see,” 
she added, “here comes Judge Goodwin 
looking for us, I fear.” 

“ Ah, here you are, stragglers ! ” said their 
host. “ Mrs. Goodwin has sent me out 
to look you up, for she feared you might 
have lost your way.” 

“ Oh, how I shall reproach myself for 
giving her one moment of anxiety! Let 
us hasten our steps, that we may relieve 
her from further care,” said Mrs. Love- 
lace, penitently. 

Elsie quietly made her way to one side 
of Judge Goodwin, and slipped her tiny 
hand into his manly one, saying, *as she 
did so, — 

“Will you be my fairy godfather, Judge 
Goodwin? Your wife is my fairy god- 
mother, you know.” 


1 1 8 LITTLE MISS FAITH. 

“Will I be your fairy godfather?” 
laughingly repeated the good man. “ Is 
there anything very fairy-like about me ? ” 
he asked. 

And Elsie, as she looked up at the tall 
figure overshadowing hers, every inch a 
judge, felt that if the fairies were as large 
as he, they would have a hard time to 
crowd into a lily’s cup or hide under a 
lichen. She answered, — 

“Well, sir, then you will be my giant 
godfather, won’t you ? ” 

Judge Goodwin, bending tenderly down 
to the little mite of humanity, kissed her 
and answered, — 

“ I will be to you more, my dear, for I 
will be as a real father; and when your 
mother consents, our home is open to you 
both, for we have all learned to love you, 
little girl. You have brought new life to 



“ 5 Js there anything very fairy -like about me ? 1 ” — Page 1 18. 





LITTLE MISS FAITH. 


1 2 I 


us all. But here vve are at home, and 
yonder, over the lawn, comes my good 
wife to meet us.” 

Mrs. Lovelace begged forgiveness for 
taxing her kind hostess's nerves to such 
an extent, and went forward to meet the 
latter. Placing in her hands a large bunch 
of wild roses, she said sweetly, — 

“ Let this be my peace offering, fair 
hostess.” 

“ No offence, my good friend,” replied 
Mrs. Goodwin. “ I only feared for your 
safety, for I am afraid I did not have 
much confidence in your memory and 
bump of locality, or — was I lonely ? 
Perhaps I might add that I was ; for you 
and your little girl have brought such a 
sweet atmosphere into our quiet home 
that I am a beggar for your every smile.” 

“Yes, good wife,” added Judge Good- 


122 


LITTLE MISS FAITH 


win, “ I have taken the first step, as you 
suggested last evening, and I leave you 
to talk with Mrs. Lovelace of our plans. 
To-morrow or next day will be a good 
time to talk them up. Now we will go 
into the house, and have our usual Sunday- 
night sing. Has Faith gone to bed, 
wife ? ” 

“Yes, ” replied Mrs. Goodwin, “she left 
a good-night for you all, and a kiss for 
her little sister Elsie.” 

The evening was spent in the singing 
of hymns ; and as the voices of the trio 
blended in harmony to the beautiful words 
of Saint Bernard of Cluny, — 

“Jerusalem, the golden, 

With milk and honey blest ; 

Beneath thy contemplation 

Sink heart and voice oppressed,” 

when they reached its ending, they heard 
an echo from above stairs, as Faith’s 


LITTLE MISS FAITH. 


123 


voice chimed in with the others at the 
verse, — 

_ “ And they who with their Leader 

Have conquered in the fight, 

Forever and forever 
Are clad in robes of white.” 

And as the little company closed with the 
singing of the “ Amen,” every heart felt 
that the words were fully interpreted by 
the saintly Faith, who had fought the 
battle of life with heroism and patience 
beyond her years, and with all a woman’s 
strength and hope. 


CHAPTER VIII. 


ND this is the day of the 
week,” said Mrs. Good- 
win to her guests as they 
entered the breakfast- 
room the next morning, 
— “ the day that we are 
reminded forcibly of our 
native element of dust ; yes, this is the 
day when it costs us an effort to forget it. 
I never did like washing-day, from a child 
up. I always seem to taste its condiments 
in our very food. Even Cook seems to 
feel it a day of penance, for I sometimes 
think, in her eagerness to beat her tattoo 
at the tubs and to preside over them con- 



LITTLE MISS FAITH. 


125 


scientiously, she forgets that we are mor- 
tal, and need food. If you are not so 
well fed to-day as usual, it is due to that 
very commonplace fact that it is washing- 
day, — good Saxon words, though possibly 
inelegant.” 

“ And what can I do for your pleasure to- 
day, Mrs. Goodwin? May I not help you 
a little, and thus feel myself of use ? ” asked 
Mrs. Lovelace, as she seated herself at 
table. 

“ Have a care, my good lady, how freely 
you offer your services in these busy 
times,” rejoined Mrs. Goodwin, with a 
laugh. 

“ But I offer in all sincerity, mine host- 
ess,” said Mrs. Lovelace, “for I hardly know 
how to be idle, mine is such a busy life. 
So bid me do your will, Mrs. Goodwin.” 

“ Well, I accept,” said the latter in reply, 


126 


LITTLE MISS FAITH. 


“for later I shall take you into a secret. 
But here come the dressmaker and the 
seamstress up the walk now ; so meet us 
in the sewing-room in two hours, if you 
will, and I will whisper in your ear. 
Meantime perhaps you and Elsie would 
like to go out and see Robert the gar- 
dener cut the flowers from the conserva- 
tory, for he begs that he may be decorator 
and florist for to-morrow.” 

“ And oh, may I help ? ” said Mrs. Love- 
lace, eagerly. “ I have such a pretty idea 
that I would so like to carry out. Tell 
me, please, that I may be an assistant to 
Robert, ” urged Mrs. Lovelace. 

“Yes, you will be of great help, I am 
sure, in that line; so after breakfast run 
out and make your application to Robert 
to go into partnership with him,” said 
Mrs. Goodwin ; and her guest answered, — 


LITTLE MISS FAITH. 


127 


“ No, I shall apply only for an appren- 
ticeship ; ” and later, as Robert sauntered 
along through the heavily laden plants 
of the conservatory, he heard a quick 
step following him. Turning, he saw hur- 
rying behind him Mrs. Lovelace, with 
a pink sunbonnet on her head, and carry- 
ing a basket, while a long pair of shears 
hung dangling at her side. He raised 
his hat politely, and said, — 

“ Good-morning, my lady. Do you 
want a few flowers ? It ’s only a very few 
I can give you this day, for to-morrow 
is the day of the party, and there is not 
a plant here but would give its every 
flower for the festival.” 

“Yes, good gardener Robert; and that 
is why I am come, to beg that you will 
give me an apprenticeship. Won’t you 
please let me help you, Robert?” urged 


28 


LITTLE MISS FAITH. 


Mrs. Lovelace. “ I want to do my share, — 
something, anything ; and, too, I have such 
a pretty plan. I promise I won’t inter- 
fere with any of yours, but you will, I am 
sure, agree to help me. Where can I 
find some daisies, I wonder?” she asked. 

“ Down in old Farmer Allen’s fields. 
He has just let them grow wild, because 
he says he loves them so,” said the 
gardener. 

“ And will you be going that way 
to-day, I wonder, Robert ? ” asked Mrs. 
Lovelace. 

“Yes, ma’am, that I will, and soon 
too,” replied Robert, “for I have to go 
to the village on an errand right away.” 

“ And will you take a big half-bushel 
basket, to fill for me ? ” continued the lady. 

“ Whew ! a half-bushel basketful of 
daisies!” said Robert, and a long shrill 


LITTLE MISS FAITH. 


129 


whistle told the enormity of the request. 
“ Why,” he added, “ Farmer Allen will 
have me up before the magistrate for 
trespassing at wholesale.” 

“No, no,” rejoined Mrs. Lovelace, “you 
must see Farmer Allen first, of course, 
and tell him we want some daisies for 
Faith’s and,” she added meekly, “ my 
little girl’s birthday.” 

“ That I will, and I will bring the 
daisies, or I don’t come back at all, 
ma’am.” 

“ One more thing,” continued Mrs. 
Lovelace. “ Robert, where is that big 
white sun umbrella I saw over your 
wagon Saturday afternoon, as we passed 
you on your way from the village ? ” and 
Robert replied, — 

“ Why, ma’am, it is on the wagon still, 
I hope ; for if ever it be of use, it 


9 


130 


LITTLE MISS FAITH. 


will be to-day, for my friend Fahrenheit 
holds his head high in the world this 
morning.” 

“Yes,” added Mrs. Lovelace, “and it 
will be of use to-morrow, too, good Robert, 
for I want to ask the loan of it.” 

“ Bless you, lady, it is yours,” rejoined 
Robert, readily; and he called to James, 
who stood outside, to “ unfasten that 
white umbrella on the village wagon and 
give — ” 

“ Tut, tut, tut ! ” interrupted the visitor; 
“ no, not until you return from the village, 
for I cannot use it until you bring me 
the daisies anyway. So remember, Robert, 
you and I are partners and decorators. 
I will see you on your return. You will 
need the umbrella this hot day.” 

Raising his hat, as the lady left, Robert 
said to James, “ It seems as if since those 


LITTLE MISS FAITH. 


131 

two people came, Miss Faith was living 
another life.” 

Faith and Elsie, meanwhile, had been 
amusing each other. Dollie Dorothy was 
still sitting in the pretty doll-house, with 
a dignity enforced by stiff joints, for Faith 
said she must be a visitor as long as her 
mistress was one. “And, oh, dear sister 
Elsie, I do wish you would visit me 
forever. You are so much company for 
mamma when I can’t be, and do you 
know, I think mamma has lost her heart 
upon your mother? ” said Faith, and added: 
“We should be such a happy family, 
shouldn’t we, little sister? To-morrow 
mamma is going to talk with you both 
about living with us forever.” 

Elsie, with a judgment beyond her 
years, gained by her life with her elders, 
could only listen. It was not for her to 


132 


LITTLE MISS FAITH. 


say anything, fearing she might say the 
“very wrongest thing,” as she afterwards 
told her mother, “ for, you know, mamma, 
I really would always like to live with 
you, and sister Faith, and my fairy god- 
mother, and my giant godfather, and 
the roses, and the birds, and — everything 
so real ! ” 

While Faith and Elsie sat in this happy 
way, Rachel entered the room, and with her 
usual devotion asked her little mistress, — 

“ Now, missy, what can Nurse Rachel do 
to-day for you ? Bress de chile ! ” she said, 
turning to Elsie. “ I would crawl on my 
ugly black hands to serve missy, and be 
sassifried if she would only crack a smile 
to me now and then.” 

“ No need of that, good nursey. Only 
put me in my wheel-carriage, and we will 
all go for a little walk; that is, you and 


LITTLE MISS FAITH. 


133 


Elsie will walk, and I will ride ; ” and she 
tried to laugh, but to-day it seemed a 
failure, Rachel thought. 

“ Rat-tat-tat 1 ” at the sewing-room, and 
Mrs. Lovelace entered to find Mrs. Good- 
win in council with the dressmaker and the 
seamstress, and all three hidden behind a 
cloud of spotted muslin. 

“ Ah, now,” she said, “ I am where I 
know I can be of use ; so command me, 
please.” 

“ Yes, you really can, my good friend,” 
replied Mrs. Goodwin ; “ and now for the 
secret ; ” and she took Mrs. Lovelace one 
side, and gave her her orders. “ Don’t tell ! 
No, not a word of thanks to-day, Mrs. 
Lovelace, not before to-morrow, anyway. 

I only ask your help to-day for two hours 
more ; and then — ” 

“ And then I can keep my appointment 


134 


LITTLE MISS FAITH. 


with Robert,” interrupted Mrs. Lovelace. 
“ Yes, there he goes to the village.” 

“ And pray what are you and Robert 
going to do ? ” asked her hostess. 

“ We are the decorators for the birth- 
day fete. Can you trust us ? ” asked Mrs. 
Lovelace. 

“Yes, indeed, and you are at liberty 
to do what you will, use what you will, 
and — work as long as you will ! ” said 
Mrs. Goodwin ; “ and now for your thim- 
ble,” she said, with a merry laugh. 

“ And here it is, my good and tried 
friend, — always at my side, you see,” said 
Mrs. Lovelace, taking a well-worn silver 
thimble from her pocket. 

The busy women worked so indus- 
triously that the spotted muslin took 
pretty shapes, and two dainty little muslin 
frocks rested on the bed all finished as 


LITTLE MISS FAITH. ' 135 

the tea-bell rang. But Mrs. Lovelace had 
adapted herself to other work, and at the 
end of the two hours she had promised 
Mrs. Goodwin, had joined Robert in the 
conservatory, who pointed with pride at 
the heaping basketful of beautiful white 
daisies. 

“ There, there you are, my lady! Enough, 
I wonder ? ” he asked with interest. 

“ Plenty, and in abundance ; but what 
did Farmer Allen say to such a destruc- 
tion of his pets ?” said Mrs. Lovelace, as she 
picked from the basket a bunch of the 
pretty flowers, and fastened it to her waist 

“ Why, ma’am, I just told him we were 
to have a party up here to-morrow, and we 
wanted some daisies,” rejoined Robert ; 
“and what do you think, ma’am,” he con- 
tinued, “ he insisted upon helping me, and 
said, if anything in his poor life could 


LITTLE MISS FAITH. 


136 

give pleasure at Falcons-height, he would 
give it with a will. So here they are, 
ma’am.” 

“ And now get the umbrella, Robert, 
please, will you ? ” said Mrs. Lovelace, “ and 
leave me to myself. You can trust me 
with your children, the flowers, can’t you ? ” 

“ That I can, my lady,” answered the 
gardener; “and here is an extra pair of 
shears,” he added laughingly, “ to use 
when yours get dull.” 

Industriously Mrs. Lovelace worked on, 
till the tea-bell summoned her, as it did 
the other busy workers, to supper. 

She asked to be excused early in the 
evening, saying she wanted to retire early, 
“ that she might rise with the birds.” 

On the way to their chamber, she and 
Elsie stepped into Faith’s pretty room, 
and delayed a moment to chat with the 


LITTLE MISS FAITH. 


137 


little girl, who was as usual lost in con- 
templation of her constant friends, the sky 
lanterns. She said to Mrs. Lovelace, who 
bent over to kiss her, — 

“ Don’t you like birthdays, Mrs. Love- 
lace ? They come so seldom, don’t they? ” 
“ And is n’t once a year often enough ? ” 
replied Mrs. Lovelace. 

“ Why, no, not if they bring such a 
happy day as to-morrow will be, I am 
sure,” said Faith; “and,” continued she, 
“ I do hope I can stay out a little while. 
I am going to try to sleep hard to-night, 
so I may be with my little friends to- 
morrow. Good-night, Mrs. Lovelace, and 
good-night, dear little sister. To-morrow, 
you and I will be a year older than to-day, 
only think ! Good-night, all. Good-night, 
my dear sky friends, my bright sky 
lanterns.” 


CHAPTER IX. 


P B ™i® n ^HE birthday morning 



dawned bright and beauti- 
fully fair, as if Nature her- 
self were an interested 
party in the coming fete . 
The birds sang clear and 


sweet, and it was no difficult matter to 
make of their “ Chirr-up, chirr-up,” a call 
to the sleepers, “ Wake up, wake up, chirr- 


up. 


Elsie could not be said to be of the 
sleepers, for she had been awake long 
before the birds commenced their matins, 
but did not stir, not wishing to waken 
her mother. She had just begun to 


LITTLE MISS FAITH. 


139 


think she could not keep quiet longer, 
when she felt a strong arm thrown around 
her neck, and the kisses fell upon her 
soft cheek, — one, two, three, four, five, 
six, seven, eight, nine, ten, — and heard 
her mother’s greeting, — 

“ Many happy days for my little daugh- 
ter!” 

“ Thank you, blessed mamma,” said 
Elsie, in return. “ I wish I could steal 
into Faith’s room, and give her the same 
greeting of kisses ; not the same kisses, 
you know, mamma, but some of my 
own.” 

But it was thought best not to disturb 
Faith quite so early, and Mrs. Lovelace 
said, — 

“ You know she will have an uncom- 
monly exciting day for her, and will 
need extra strength and sleep. I thought 


140 


LITTLE MISS FAITH. 


last night,” continued Mrs. Lovelace, “ that 
her little eyes looked dull, and she seemed 
very weary.” 

“ Do you know, mamma,” said Elsie, 
“ if it would only make Faith well, I 
believe I would be willing to take her 
place for a while. I know I should never 
be so patient as she is, for do you notice 
Faith never says, ‘ I wish I could do so 
or so,’ but ’t is always ‘ If I could do so 
or so/ I asked her one day if she did 
not get very tired, and she answered 
me, ‘ Oh, yes, Elsie ; but don’t you ever 
get tired too, I wonder ? ’ and I have 
never heard her murmur once at her 
lameness. Rachel told me the other day 
how it all happened, and she cried so 
hard I had to try to quiet her ; but I 
could not comfort her at all, and when 
Faith heard her crying, she wheeled along 


LITTLE MISS FAITH. 


141 

so quietly in her chair that we never 
saw her until she called, ‘ Nursey, Nursey 
Rachel, I am lonesome without you, for 
I do love you so ! ’ Oh, mamma, I wish 
you could have seen the smile that 
lighted up Rachel’s black face ! Why, 
mamma, it just shone, and she ran away 
saying, — 

“ ‘ Bress dat chile ! Bress dat chile ! 
I ’se her slave till the Judgment Day 
comes to one of us, shuah. Nebber min’ 
if Massa Lincoln did give me my freedom 
papers. ’ ” 

“And how did it all happen, Elsie?” 
asked Mrs. Lovelace. 

“Why, it was one morning that Rachel 
was taking Faith to ride in her baby- 
carriage,” replied Elsie; “and some boys 
and girls were chasing a big Newfound- 
land dog. He ran like mad, Rachel told 


142 


LITTLE MISS FAITH. 


me, and rushed right across the street 
between her and the carriage, and fairly 
separated it from her, and it just went 
of its own speed over the curbstone, and 
the baby fell out. It was thought at 
first that Faith was killed, but when they 
took her home they found her still alive ; 
but her spine was injured. For a time 
it was thought Rachel would be crazy, 
mamma, she grieved so; but Judge and 
Mrs. Goodwin were so kind to her that 
she got better, and I don’t believe she 
will ever leave Faith unless — ” added 
Elsie in subdued tones — “Faith leaves 
her. Is n’t it a sad story, mamma ? ” 
“Yes, little daughter,” answered Mrs. 
Lovelace; “but still Faith is so very 
cheery that she makes one forget her 
many daily sacrifices. But, see, the sun 
is up altogether- too high, and I have 


LITTLE MISS FAITH. 


143 


work to do in the garden. Let us dress 
quietly, and I will go down.” 

Elsie tried to move noiselessly about 
the room ; but do her very best her shoes 
would squeak, and things would fall on 
the floor, and she felt almost guilty when 
Faith’s knock came on the door. Elsie 
knew it was Faith’s, for the rubber tires 
on her wheel chair could not quite hide 
the fact of her presence near. 

Elsie opened the door quickly; and 
Faith, whose lap was full of roses, just 
tossed them recklessly at her little visitor. 
They fell about her a literal shower of 
roses ; and the two children laughed mer- 
rily, as the pink little messengers fell 
speaking their fragrant messages. 

The children themselves were not 
wanting in words, and it was difficult to 
tell which spoke the louder and faster. 


144 


LITTLE MISS FAITH. 


“ A Happy New Year to you ! ” “Many 
happy returns of our birthday ! ” “ Happy 

days for you, and happy days for me ! ” 
were a few of the greetings from one 
to the other. 

It was, in truth, a very pretty sight to see 
the two little girls exchange kisses. Faith 
put up her small white hands on Elsie’s 
cheeks, and counted, one by one, the ten 
kisses she bestowed upon them ; while 
Elsie, leaning over tenderly, imprinted 
five on each cheek of the little invalid, 
and added the eleventh upon her lips, — 
“ for luck,” she said. 

Rachel looked in at that moment, and 
taking the hand of each little girl in her 
big black one, said, — 

“ Chilluns, I must kiss you both, but 
this is the place for my kisses.” 

“Yes,” said the two children in one 


LITTLE MISS FAITH. 


M5 


voice, “ where we can hold them tight, 
Rachel ; ” and Rachel’s modesty received 
a meaning she little dreamed for it. 

“ Now, Miss Elsie, run down to your 
breakfast, while you, Missy Faith, had 
best eat yours and then lie down, honey, 
till you have to dress for the acception,” 
said Rachel. 

Poor Rachel ! had she been contented 
to speak of the day’s coming festivities 
as the children’s party it really was to 
be, would not have been guilty of the 
mistake, but she had often said, “ A 
party was nothing but a party; but an 
acception was — more ! ” but her ex- 
planation was so obscure it was hard 
to tell what extra dignity graced an 
“ acception.” 

As Elsie entered the breakfast-room, 
Judge and Mrs. Goodwin stood waiting 
to give her their birthday greetings. 

IO 


146 LITTLE MISS FAITH. 

“ Many, many happy returns of this 
glorious June birthday, little girl!” said 
they in unison ; and Elsie, as she attempted 
to sit down in her chair, found it impos- 
sible to do so before removing from it 
many tempting-looking bundles ; while at 
her plate glistened a new silver set of 
knife, fork, and spoon, all bearing the 
inscription “ Elsie Lovelace, from her 
giant godfather and fairy godmother.” 

Elsie, to whom such lovely things were 
unknown, was too surprised to say any- 
thing, and when her mother reminded 
her of her neglect, looked up with tears 
of joy on her face, and said in childish 
innocence, “ F m too happy to talk, mamma. 
You tell them how kind they are;” and 
Mrs. Lovelace herself found it difficult 
to express in well-chosen words her 
gratification to the kind friends whose 


LITTLE MISS FAITH. 


147 


lives were spent in doing good for 
others. 

After breakfast was over, each member 
of the family seemed to have a duty to 
perform. Mrs. Goodwin went to the 
kitchen to interview Sarah the cook ; Mrs. 
Lovelace and Robert flitted back and forth 
from the conservatory, their smiling faces 
hidden behind roses and flowers of every 
hue; Mr. Goodwin laughingly said, as 
he betook himself to his library, that he 
was “going to prepare his speech and 
Elsie became a general messenger about 
the house and lawns. 

Rachel seemed to feel her care over 
her little mistress doubled, and followed 
almost her every look. She amused her, 
as she only could, with stories of the war 
in Dixie, and interspersed them with 
plantation songs. 


148 


LITTLE MISS FAITH. 


“Oh, mamma, mamma!” called Elsie, 
as she went to her room, after dinner, to 
dress, “ do, do come upstairs ! Be quick ! ” 
for Mrs. Lovelace was putting the finish- 
ing touches in the wide front hall, and 
twining the balusters with greenery and 
flowers. She left at ' Elsie’s call, and 
joined the latter in her room. 

“ Oh, do, do see, mamma ! Is there any 
end to my birthday presents, I wonder ? 
Look, look here ! ” cried the little girl, 
excitedly. “ Look at this lovely muslin 
dress on my bed. Can it be for me ? and 
yet, here, read what this bit of a note says. 
No, I will read it to you, mamma: ‘To my 
god-daughter, Elsie Lovelace.’ And see,” 
she continued, — “see this lovely hat with 
its white satin bows and white roses, and 
see all these pretty ribbons, — one for my 
hair, and one for my sash and Elsie 


LITTLE MISS FAITH. 


149 


danced about the room with joy. “ Oh, I 
never was quite so happy before, mamma. 
I don’t mean that I was never happy, but 
somehow, if you feel real happy, you want 
to look just right every way, and a 
pretty dress is like — ” 

“ Like the fine feathers that make fine 
birds ? ” interrupted her mother, teas- 
ingly. 

“No, mamma, I don’t mean just that; 
but I mean that when we are happy, if 
we look well, it all helps to tell how we 
feel. You know what I mean, don’t you, 
blessed mamma?” 

Mrs. Lovelace answered that she under- 
stood, and had no fear that her little 
daughter would be spoiled by vanity, 
“ for,” she said, “ it is right that we should 
look as well as we can ; but dress you, 
little daughter, quickly, so that before the 


LITTLE MISS FAITH. 


150 

children come, you may go and thank 
the giver, — the Lady Bountiful.” 

And indeed the little girl did look a 
picture of perfect happiness and inno- 
cence. Her long golden hair, tied with 
its bow of white satin ribbon, fell around 
her shoulders, and the simplicity of the 
little white muslin frock was a suitable 
setting for the sweetness of her face and 
the purity of soul indicated in it. 

She hurried to Mrs. Goodwin’s room, 
and knocked gently. 

“ Come in,” was the answer from with- 
in ; and stealing up to the side of that 
lady, she said, — 

“ Look, quick, quick, my fairy god- 
mother, for I ’m so afraid I ’m in fairy- 
land, reading a fairy story! Oh, shall I 
have to be indoors at five o’clock, do 
you think, or else lose all these pretty 


LITTLE MISS FAITII. 


151 

things? You are so kind, I don’t know 
what to say, and so I ’ve come to have 
you say what you think of me and 
everything ! ” 

Mrs. Goodwin looked at the sweet face 
appealing to her, and for a moment a look 
of sadness came into her own, — only for 
a moment, though, for the smiles came 
to her rescue, and she said pleasantly, — 

“ I have two little girls instead of one,' 
have I not? Have you seen Faith yet, 
and is she dressed for the afternoon ? ” 
she asked. 

“ No, ma’am,” replied Elsie. “ Nurse Ra- 
chel guards her door, like a big black 
bear; and when I peeped a bit into the 
room, as I was passing, she said, 4 Shut 
that do’! You can’t come in now, Miss. 
There’s just as fine a little lady here as 
some others;’ and so I ran away. But 


152 


LITTLE MISS FAITH. 


there 20 Rachel and Faith. Let us run 
down to the piazza and see them. Shan’t 
we ? ” 

They joined % Faith and her devoted 
attendant on the lawn ; and Mrs. Goodwin 
walked up to the side of her little girl, 
and bent and kissed her, as she had done 
so many times on this beautiful June 
birthday. 

Elsie could only stand spellbound at 
the lovely picture that the little invalid 
made ! Her face always had a spirituelle 
look, as if it were only a veil that hid 
her from the angels, and the wreath of 
white roses on her head seemed like a 
crown. 

The little wheel-carriage was orna- 
mental with its display of flowers. There 
was nothing about it as a reminder of the 
sacrifices that its owner had always had 


LITTLE MISS FAITH 


153 


to make. Its artistic beauty in decoration 
drove away every such intruding thought. 

“ Yes, here is the very triumph of art,” 
said Judge Goodwin. 

The sides of the wheel-carriage were 
festooned with smilax and flowers, while 
around the hubs of the wheels was a 
wreath of white daisies. Over the head of 
the little girl was the large cotton um- 
brella, but so disguised that it was hard 
to tell its original make; for around its 
edge was a fringe of smilax, and its top 
was completely hidden by a covering of 
white daisies. From the front of the car- 
riage extended two long wide white satin 
ribbons, and Faith asked in her merry 
way, — 

“ Where are my horses, if these are my 

• ■> » 
reins r 

“ They will be here presently,” re- 


*54 


LITTLE MISS FAITH. 


plied Mrs. Lovelace, in the same happy 
vein. 

Soon the little visitors began to arrive. 
All along the road could be seen the 
unpretentious carriages of the villagers, 
bearing their burdens of little people ; 
white dresses dotted the procession, and 
pretty ribbons fluttered in the wind. 

There were Bessie Barrett, and Rose 
Osgood, and the twin sisters, Alice and 
Edith Lawrence, and the minister’s two 
children, Margaret and Mary Oldrive ; 
and a goodly number of boys too. Ned 
Ashton and Harry Bates and Ray Hunt 
and Cecil Heywood made a merry quar- 
tet in the latter’s village-cart, and, in 
short, the whole forty guests had come, — 
not one regret was received by the little 
hostesses. Every one seemed as happy as 
the day was bright. 


LITTLE MISS FAITH. 


155 


And what a pretty sight it was to see 
Faith’s carriage as it started for the arbor, 
which Robert had decorated for the festi- 
val ! One of the white ribbons was held 
by a line of little girls, and the other by the 
boys, and each guest had fastened a bunch 
of flowers to the ribbons by delicate 
threads, so that the ribbons seemed more 
like a floral chain. 

Faith’s lap was heaped with the tributes 
that her little friends had brought to her 
guest and herself. Elsie walked by the 
side of Faith, and it was hard to decide 
which made the more attractive picture. 
Certainly there was nothing to show that 
Faith was not so strong as the others, for 
her cheeks wore the hectic flush of excite- 
ment, and her face was radiant with 
smiles ! She looked rather like some 
queen of the flower-garden, riding in state, 
and guarded by her loyal subjects. 


i 5 6 


LITTLE MISS FAITH. 


Rachel, in spotless cap and apron and 
neat black dress, guided the procession 
in her accustomed place, at the back of 
Faith’s chair. Only laughter and merri- 
ment were heard everywhere. 

Mrs. Lovelace and Robert had trans- 
formed the grape-arbor into a realm of 
fairy-land, making of it a throne-room fit 
for any queen of the fairies. Flowers 
were everywhere ; and the initials of the 
two little hostesses were woven together 
in bright flowers, and made a pretty back- 
ground for such a picture. 

Judge Goodwin’s tall form towered over 
the little people, and made them look 
like pygmies ; and as he came forward 
to speak, he was greeted by such an out- 
burst of cheering from the children that 
he said in an aside, smilingly, — 

“Children, this is not my birthday; and 



Judge Goodwin’s tall form towered over the little 
people.” — Page 1 56. 

































































LITTLE MISS FAITH. 


159 


when you get to be as old as I am, you 
will be glad to forget the birthdays, I’m 
thinking.” Silence being restored, he 
continued: “Children, it seems almost 
an absurdity for two little ladies like 
Miss Lovelace and Miss Goodwin ” (and 
he repeated the names with mock gravity,) 
“ to have to call upon a gray-haired old 
man like me to make the opening speech 
to their guests at their party. They do 
not seem to be very strong for woman’s 
rights ; but, jesting aside, it gives me — 
all of us, I may say — great pleasure to 
celebrate this beautiful June day in such 
a way as is planned for you by your 
hostesses.” 

He was interrupted by brave Ned Ash- 
ton, who cried out, “ Three cheers for our 
hostesses ! ” and they were given with a 
will that proved that little people can be 


1 60 


LITTLE MISS FAITH. 


heard as well as seen, when the proper 
time offers. 

“And now,” continued Judge Goodwin, 
“ it has been planned that we have our 
strawberry-festival on the lawn, yonder, 
before it is too late for my little girl ; so 
roam where you will; swing and play 

games; and down by the lake are five 
trustworthy good stout men, who will 

take you in the boats on the water, but 
you must mind their orders, as you would 
those of your father or mother. Run 
away now, until the trumpet calls you to 
strawberries and cream.” 

The children seemed to feel that not 
only their first duty, but as well their 
greatest pleasure, was to be found in 

hovering about Faith and Elsie ; and the 
former was very graceful in her intro- 
ductions of her merry guests to her 


LITTLE MISS FAITH. i6l 

“little friend and foster-sister Elsie,” as 
she proudly called the little stranger. 

Mrs. Lovelace and Mrs. Goodwin were 
everywhere, and the children made the 
garden ring with the happy laughter of 
innocent childhood. 

It was a source of great merriment to 
all to see the giant form of Judge Good- 
win dodging the little people at their 
game of “ tag” around the trees of 
Falcons-height. 

At the appointed hour the trumpet 
sounded, and across the lawn, up from 
the lake, and all along the driveway 
scampered the little people, and gathered 
around the long table beneath the over- 
hanging trees. 

And how tempting it looked ! It was 
heavily laden with strawberries and sweets 0 
At either end sat Faith and Elsie, and 


ii 


62 


LITTLE MISS FAITH. 


both were almost hidden by the beautiful 
floral pieces that had exhausted every 
originality of Robert the gardener. 

The older ones waited patiently upon 
the little people. After all had done 
their duty faithfully to the goodies upon 
the table, at Faith’s request, those who 
had birthdays in the same month of 
June were asked to raise their hands ; 
and Ned Ashton and Bessie Barrett up- 
lifted theirs above the heads of the 
company. 

Still Faith had another request to make, 
and that was that those whose birthdays 
came in the same month of June should 
tell a little story, and in that story should 
express what they wished for most. 

Judge Goodwin, fearing that the two 
children might be frightened at the thought 
of such a seemingly serious task, said, — 


LITTLE MISS FAITH. 163 

“ Children, I am sure that Faith does not 
expect you will tell us a story, like * Little 
Lord Fauntleroy’ or ‘ Dollikins and the 
Miser;’ and looking towards his little girl, 
as if for approval of what he was going 
to add, he continued: “You may make 
it as short as you please, only let us hear 
your best wish, children. Mind you, Miss 
Goodwin, Faith, does not say she will 
gratify it ; for this is her own original idea, 
so I cannot say what she intends to do.” 

“ That is a secret, papa, from you and 
everybody. I may tell mamma, though,” 
said Faith. 

And so Ned Ashton, who was to cele- 
brate his twelfth birthday two days later 
in the month of roses, was asked to lead 
off. in the story-telling. With all a boy’s 
bravery he arose, then paused, as if try- 
ing to get up a bit more of courage, and 


LITTLE MISS FAITH. 


164 

then, as if filled with the serious thought 
of a duty to perform, went on : “ Once 
upon a time — I commence that way, be- 
cause that seems the fashionable way of 
beginning stories. So, once upon a time 
I had a beautiful big dog ” — here every 
child listened with eager expectancy 
of what was to follow — “and — now I 
have n’t one. So now you know what I 
want most of anything ! ” 

And such a laugh as went up from the 
little group; and all agreed with Judge 
Goodwin, who said that Ned’s story was 
short and to the point. 

“Next!” said Judge Goodwin; and little 
Bessie Barrett, who was nothing but a 
French doll in looks, tried to see how 
she could best manifest to the company 
what she most wanted. She, too, com- 
menced in the old familiar way of — 


LITTLE MISS FAITH. 


165 


“Once upon a time — there was a little 
girl, and her mamma showed her how to 
sew, and she made lots of dollie’s dresses, 
so many that she had n’t dollies enough to 
wear them ; and so,” she concluded, “ if I 
had another dollie, she could wear some 
of those dresses, for I am that little girl.” 

As she sat down again, the children 
clapped their hands, while their elders 
thought how modestly the little miss had 
told her pretty story. 

“ And now, Miss Elsie, you are not to 
be spared, for Faith says you must do 
your part,” said Judge Goodwin. 

Elsie arose, and said sweetly : “ Oh, I 
have everything that I want, now that I 
have a little sister Faith ; ” and with this 
pretty compliment to her little friend and 
hostess, the story-telling came to an end, 
and so did the day too, — at least, the 


LITTLE MISS FAITH. 


1 66 

children’s part of it, for five o’clock 
sounded out from the belfry of St. John’s, 
and all felt that they must not stay be- 
yond the hour not wishing to tire their 
little benefactress. So preparations for 
home were made, and “ Many happy re- 
turns of the day ” echoed and re-echoed 
from the happy children, until it almost 
seemed as if the very birds took up the 
refrain in their even songs. 


CHAPTER X. 


Y nine o’clock there was noth- 
ing to show that Falcons- 
height had rung but a few 
hours before with the 
merry voices and laughter 
of forty little people. 

Everything was peaceful, and the moon 
looked out through the trees, and the stars 
twinkled brightly, as if saying their work 
had only begun. All had retired to their 
beds early, but Mrs. Goodwin seemed to 
have a care upon her mind that forbade 
sleep. 

She tried to think that she had indulged 
in too strong a cup of tea at supper; but 




LITTLE MISS FAITH. 


1 68 

even that would not explain the anxiety 
she seemed to feel lest the day’s pleasures 
might prove too much for Faith’s strength. 

She arose from her bed, and throwing 
about her a light silk wrapper, slipped her 
feet into her bed-shoes, and walked to the 
door of her little girl’s room, but would 
not venture across the threshold, until she 
had first made sure whether Faith was 
asleep or not. 

No, she was not sleeping, but tossing 
restlessly. 

“ Mamma,” she called, “ is that you ? ” 

“Yes, dearie, it is I. Why are you 
not sleeping, my little girl?” said Mrs. 
Goodwin. 

“ Oh, I am too happy to sleep,” replied 
Faith. “ Did n’t we have a lovely time to- 
day ? Do come and sit down by me, and 
let us talk it all up, mamma.” 


LITTLE MISS FAITII. 


169 


“ Don’t you think, little one, you had 
better wait until the morning ? ” replied 
her mother. 

“ Oh no, now, please,” said Faith, “ for 
I really want to talk with you about it 
— and,” she added thoughtfully, “ every- 
thing.” 

So Mrs. Goodwin could no longer resist 
the pleadings of her little girl, fearing she 
hardly knew what, an indefinable some- 
thing, in that one word “ everything,” and 
took her seat by the side of Faith’s bed. 

“ Did n’t we have such a happy time 
to-day, mamma ? ” said Faith. “Every- 
body seemed to enjoy it, and, oh, I am 
so glad, for it was Elsie’s first party, so 
she told me. I do love her so, mamma, 
don’t you ? ” she asked. 

“Yes,” replied Mrs. Goodwin, “ I love 
her very tenderly.” 


170 


LITTLE MISS FAITH. 


“ And don’t you think, mamma, if she 
and her sweet mother could live here with 
us always, it would be nice ? Elsie could 
take my place — sometime,” she added 
slowly. “You said you were going to 
ask them to live with us always; and 
then you know, mamma, Elsie could have 
her best wish gratified, because I should 
be with her as her sister always,” said 
Faith. 

“ I have already invited them to stay 
with us, at least until the summer is over, 
and Mrs. Lovelace goes back to the city 
to attend to some matters there, and will 
return again in a week,” replied her 
mother. 

“ Oh, how lovely ! ” said Faith. “ I am 
so happy now, and you and papa ought 
to be happy, too, in doing so much good 
to others ; and you are, I know. Then, 


LITTLE MISS FAITH. 


171 

mamma, will you please give Ned Ashton 
Beppo, the Irish setter that papa bought 
a year ago in the city? He tires me some 
days, barking, and I would like to give 
him to Ned to remember my birthday 
by — and me too,” she added. “Then 
there is my big French dollie. I never 
play with her because I have so many 
others. Can’t I give it to Bessie Barrett? 
It looks just like her. Can’t I give it to 
her, mamma?” pleaded Faith. 

“ Yes, my dear, and I will do all you 
say, if you will promise me now to go to 
sleep,” said her mother. 

“ Oh, I will go just as quick as I can, 
mamma,” replied Faith ; “ for, look, the 
sky lanterns are so bright, I can almost 
see Grandma and Auntie May smiling 
at me.” 

And Mrs. Goodwin, as she looked at 


172 


LITTLE MISS FAITH. 


the steeple of the little village church, 
fancied she saw the cross at its top, with 
a halo of light encircling it; and lo ! a 
meteor, or shooting star, sped across the 
sky, and took its place between the two 
bright stars that had been such constant 
friends to her little girl through all the 
night watches of her short life. Turning 
to Faith, she said, — 

“ Now go to sleep, dearie. Good- 
night!” And Faith replied, — 

“ Good-night, mamma, kiss me good- 
night, until I see you in the bright morn- 
ing, to-morrow. Good-night, for I am 
going to sleep now truly, mamma.” 

And Faith went to sleep, with the 
happy words upon her lips and the happy 
smile upon her face, and the sky lanterns 
burned brighter, as the night closed in, 
for before the morning came, another 


LITTLE MISS FAITH. 


*73 


angel kept watch over the sleepers at 
Falcons-height. 

And on the morrow the little starry 
flag still hung from the window, and 
at its top a long white pennant, floating 
out to the summer wind, carried its 
message to every heart in Hazelwood, 
and told that Faith was at home ! 

“Yes,” said Mrs. Goodwin, smiling 
through her tears, “our little girl is at 
home with the angels. They have only 
claimed their own, for she has lived so 
very near to them all through the years 
of her short life, it was but a step across 
the threshold for her little tired feet.” 

Then taking both Mrs. Lovelace and 
Elsie by the hand, she continued, — 

“ And we who are left can do nothing 
sweeter, in memory, of her, than to follow 


174 


LITTLE MISS FAITH. 


her example of patience and unselfishness ; 
and you, my good friends, must stay 
always with me to help me to continue 
her good work.” 

And in later years, as Elsie Lovelace, 
now to womanhood grown, looks back 
over the days of childhood, her sweetest 
thoughts are of her whose daily life 
was a noble example of all that was 
good, and who gave to those happy days 
at Hazelwood the tepderest memories of 

A Country Week at Falcons-height. 


THE END. 


SOPHIE MAY’S “ LITTLE-FOLKS” BOOKS. 



Six Volumes. Illustrated. Comprising 

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DOTTY DIMPLE AT SCHOOL. 

DOTTY DIMPLE’S FLYAWAY, 


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LITTLE PRUDYS DOTTY SIMPLE 


K* Mat Vox. Price 70 cents per volume* 


SOPHIE MAY’S “LITTLE-FOLKS” BOOKS. 


Six Volumes, Illustrated. Comprising: — 

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AUNT MADGE’S STORY. 

LITTLE GRANDMOTHER.'* 

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MISS THISTLEDOWN 



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FLAXIE FRIZZLE. TWIN COUSINS. 

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PENN SHIRLEY’S BOOKS 


LITTLE MISS WEEZY’S; BROTHER 

This is a good story for young children, bringing in the same 
characters as :‘*'Little Miss Weezy” of. last year, and continuing 
the history of a very natural and. wide-awake family of children. 
The doings, and, the various “ scrapes” of- Kirkej'thc brother; 
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LITTLE MISS WEEZY’S SISTER 

•• It is one of the best of the series, .and will please every child 
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It is a thoroughly clever and delightful story of child life, 
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FOR THE LITTLE ONES 

Miss Penftf Shirley is .e. very-graceful interpreter of child-life. 
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her young conipltniorja . 1 Iler stories- are fu\l of bright lessons 
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Ker kqea SBs^r^ldiot^iitnd^reiidj^syaipathy teach lier how td;)leal 
with the littlSpnlsurf helping' them to understand' the lessons of 
life. Ker stories are simple and unaffected. — Boston Herald. 


THE LITTLE MISS WEEZY SERIES 

Three volumes Illustrated Boxed, each 75 centa l 

LITTLE MISS WEEZY 

One of the freshest, and most delightful, because the most 
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ter •Welcome; a rierV author whose first volume, like ’this one of 
Penn Shirley, adds promise of future good work to actual present 
merit, w Boston Courier. 





















































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